RESUMEN
Background/aim: Spontaneous wheals and/or angioedema lasting longer than six weeks are described as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Omalizumab is used for the treatment of antihistamine-resistant CSU. The neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are considered important indicators of inflammation and platelet activation in chronic diseases. We aimed to determine the NLR, PLR, MPV, and PDW levels in patients with CSU compared with healthy controls. We also aimed to investigate the effects of omalizumab therapy on these parameters in CSU patients. Materials and methods: This hospital-based, retrospective study included 143 patients with CSU and 132 healthy controls with a mean age of 40.0 ± 13.17 and 42.0 ± 16.34, respectively. Patients with equal or higher-than-baseline UAS scores at week 12 of omalizumab treatment were considered nonresponders, others were considered responders. We analyzed the neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelet counts, NLR, PLR, MPV, and PDW before, during, and after omalizumab treatment and compared the results with those of healthy controls. Results: CSU patients presented higher baseline MPV (P = 0.035) and lower baseline PDW values (P < 0.001) than healthy controls. There were statistically significant increases in the MPV (P < 0.001), MPV/platelet count (P = 0.005), and PDW (P = 0.003) and there was a statistically significant decrease in the NLR (P = 0.018) during omalizumab treatment. The percent increase of MPV was low in nonresponders (P = 0.009). Nonresponders had lower PDW values than responders (P = 0.040). Conclusion: The increase in the MPV and PDW may be due to platelet activation during omalizumab treatment. The decrease in the NLR may be regarded as an antiinflammatory effect of omalizumab. The effect of omalizumab on platelet and inflammatory markers may be used to discriminate the responders from nonresponders.
RESUMEN
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically disrupts health care for patients with chronic diseases including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). As of now, it is unknown if the effects of the pandemic in CSU are different than in other chronic diseases. We also do not know, if different groups of CSU patients, for example female and male patients, are affected differently. Aim: To understand how CSU patients and subgroups are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their disease activity and control and treatment, using psoriasis as control. Patients and Methods: We analyzed 399 patients (450 visits) with CSU or psoriasis assessed during August 2019, i.e. before the pandemic, or August 2020, i.e. during the pandemic, for changes in disease activity, disease control, and the treatment they used, and how these changes are linked to age, gender, and disease duration. Results: Male but not female patients with CSU had markedly increased disease activity during the pandemic. CSU patients' age or disease duration were not linked to changes. Male and female patients with psoriasis showed similar increases in disease activity and decreases in disease control. The rate of omalizumab treatment, during the pandemic, was unchanged in male patients and increased in female patients with CSU. The efficacy of omalizumab treatment, during the pandemic, was reduced in male patients but not female patients with CSU. Conclusion: Male but not female CSU patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic, show loss of disease control linked to loss of omalizumab efficacy. The reasons for this need to be investigated.