Remission of chronic urticaria in patients treated with omalizumab.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the remission probability and duration in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients resistant to second-generation H1-antihistamines (sgAHs) undergoing omalizumab treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of 176 adult CSU patients exhibiting a significant pruritus component (≥ 8) of the weekly urticaria activity score (UAS7) despite four daily sgAH tablets and starting omalizumab treatment with 300 mg every 4 weeks. After excluding 13 nonresponders, we analyzed 163 omalizumab responders (mean age 51.8 years, 74.4% female). The intervals between applications were increased. Discontinuation was considered for patients that remained asymptomatic on a gradually reduced dosage (to 150 mg every 12 weeks) without sgAHs. RESULTS: Omalizumab discontinuation was possible in 25.8% (42/163). The duration of omalizumab treatment before remission ranged from 7 to 63 months. Twenty-one patients (50.0%) maintained complete remission until the end of the observation period (September 2021) for 8 to 68 months. Of the relapsed patients, 71.4% (15/21) effectively controlled CSU with sgAHs. Six patients (28.6%; 6/21) required omalizumab reintroduction after 6 to 40 months of remission, responding favorably. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that a quarter of severe CSU patients achieve long-term remission. In addition, sgAHs effectively manage symptoms in a majority of relapsed cases, and those requiring omalizumab reintroduction respond favorably.

Urticaria exacerbations and adverse reactions in patients with chronic urticaria receiving COVID-19 vaccination: Results of the UCARE COVAC-CU study.

BACKGROUND: Concern about disease exacerbations and fear of reactions after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations are common in chronic urticaria (CU) patients and may lead to vaccine hesitancy. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the frequency and risk factors of CU exacerbation and adverse reactions in CU patients after COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: COVAC-CU is an international multicenter study of Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCAREs) that retrospectively evaluated the effects of COVID-19 vaccination in CU patients aged ≥18 years and vaccinated with ≥1 dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. We evaluated CU exacerbations and severe allergic reactions as well as other adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccinations and their association with various CU parameters. RESULTS: Across 2769 COVID-19-vaccinated CU patients, most (90%) received at least 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses, and most patients received CU treatment and had well-controlled disease. The rate of COVID-19 vaccination-induced CU exacerbation was 9%. Of 223 patients with CU exacerbation after the first dose, 53.4% experienced recurrence of CU exacerbation after the second dose. CU exacerbation most often started <48 hours after vaccination (59.2%), lasted for a few weeks or less (70%), and was treated mainly with antihistamines (70.3%). Factors that increased the risk for COVID-19 vaccination-induced CU exacerbation included female sex, disease duration shorter than 24 months, having chronic spontaneous versus inducible urticaria, receipt of adenovirus viral vector vaccine, having nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/aspirin intolerance, and having concerns about getting vaccinated; receiving omalizumab treatment and Latino/Hispanic ethnicity lowered the risk. First-dose vaccine-related adverse effects, most commonly local reactions, fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, were reported by 43.5% of CU patients. Seven patients reported severe allergic reactions. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccination leads to disease exacerbation in only a small number of CU patients and is generally well tolerated.

Hereditary benign telangiectasia: a case report.

Hereditary benign telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant inherited dermatosis with typical presentation of telangiectasia of the skin and lips. The cause is still unknown. It is a primary telangiectasia that develops during childhood without systemic symptoms. Clinically round, oval, dendritic, or punctate telangiectasias are present, mostly asymptomatic, and they may cause only aesthetic problems. Because a similar clinical picture can be seen in several other skin diseases that may manifest not only with vascular lesions of the skin but also with systemic involvement and possible serious complications, we must be aware of all differential diagnostic possibilities. We present the case of a 37-year-old patient with hereditary benign telangiectasia to emphasize the importance of establishing the correct diagnosis and presenting proper information about the disease in a patient with telangiectasia of the skin.

Challenges in the treatment of psoriasis in childhood.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease that affects up to 1.2% of children and adolescents. The treatment possibilities for pediatric psoriasis are usually based on the same principles as in adults. Most information on safety and efficacy has been derived from adult studies, but only some of the frequently used treatments have approval for use in children. Treatment options for psoriasis in children and adolescents are mostly off-label, with little available data on efficacy and safety, and so the treatment of pediatric psoriasis remains a challenge. In the future, new pediatric clinical trials should be undertaken to expand the therapeutic spectrum for psoriasis in children and adolescents.