ABSTRACT
Chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by itchy wheals, angioedema or both lasting six weeks or more. It is classified as spontaneous (CSU) and inducible urticaria (CIndU), depending whether there is an identifiable trigger or not. CSU is the predominant form, affecting more than 75% of patients, although overlaps often occur. The prevalence of CSU throughout life is around 1.8% and predominates in women at a ratio of 2:1. The higher incidence of CSU is between 20 and 40 years of age and lasts between one to five years. However, in up to 20% of patients the disease may last longer. CSU not only hampers quality of life, but also affect performance at work and school. The diagnosis of CSU is mainly clinical, and laboratory tests are required depending on the clinical history of the patient. Extensive laboratory tests are usually unnecessary. Second generation anti-histamines are used as first line treatment for CSU treatment. In refractory patients, systemic treatments, such as cyclosporine or omalizumab are suggested. We herein report the first Chilean CSU guidelines.
Subject(s)
Humans , Urticaria/pathology , Urticaria/drug therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Urticaria/diagnosis , Chile , Chronic Disease , Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating/therapeutic useABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN: La alergia alimentaria (AA) es una entidad de elevada y creciente prevalencia, pudiendo ser mediada por IgE o inmunidad celular. Puede presentar amplia sintomatología y ser gatillada por múltiples antígenos alimentarios, lo que varía en diversas zonas geográficas. OBJETIVO: Describir las características clínicas de pacientes chilenos con AA IgE-mediada. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Revisión retrospectiva de pacientes con AA IgE-mediada atendidos en un centro terciario de salud de Santiago, Chile entre los años 2006 y 2016. Se evaluaron características demográficas, manifestaciones clínicas y alimentos gatillantes. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 282 pacientes con diagnóstico de AA IgE-mediada. El 89% debutó con AA antes de los 18 años de edad y de estos, la mayoría antes del año (mediana: 1 año; rango: 1 mes - 55 años). Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron urticaria, angioedema, disnea y vómitos. Un 40% tenía historia compatible con anafilaxia. Los alimentos más frecuentes fueron huevo, leche de vaca, maní, mariscos, nuez, tomate, trigo, palta, pescados y legumbres. Alergia a huevo, leche de vaca y maní fueron más frecuentes en edad pediátrica, mientras que en adultos fueron los mariscos. CONCLUSIONES: Los alimentos causantes de AA IgE-mediada en Chile fueron similares a los descritos en otros países, aunque destaca la elevada frecuencia de alergia a tomate y palta, poco habituales en series internacionales. La incidencia de anafilaxia fue alta, lo que instala la necesidad de contar con autoinyectores de adrenalina a nivel nacional.
BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) is an entity of high and growing prevalence, which can be mediated by IgE or cellular immunity. It can have a wide range of symptoms and be triggered by multiple food antigens, which vary in different geographical areas. OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical characteristics of Chilean patients with IgE-mediated FA. Patients and Method: Retrospective review of patients with IgE-mediated FA treated at a tertiary healthcare center in Santiago, Chile, between 2006 and 2016. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and trigger foods were evaluated. RESULTS: A to tal of 282 patients diagnosed with IgE-mediated FA were included. 89% had FA onset before 18 years of age and most of these before one year of age (median of age: one year; range: one month-55 years). The most common clinical manifestations were hives, angioedema, dyspnea, and vomiting. 40% had symptoms compatible with anaphylaxis. The foods most frequently involved were egg, cow's milk, peanut, shellfish, walnut, tomato, wheat, avocado, fish, and legumes. Egg, cow's milk, and peanut allergies were the most frequent at pediatric age, while seafood allergy was the most frequent among adults. CONCLUSION: Foods causing IgE-mediated FA in Chile were similar to those described in other countries, although the frequency of tomato and avocado allergy, which are unusual in international series, stands out. Anaphylaxis incidence was high, emphasizing the need for epinephrine autoinjec tors in Chile.