Why a registry of Chronic Urticaria (CUR) is needed.

Chronic urticaria (CU) has a major effect on patients' quality of life. While there have been progressive advances regarding its pathogenesis and treatment, much remains to be done. Registries of other chronic non-communicable diseases have shown many benefits, such as additional basic knowledge and management approaches to diabetes mellitus. Standards of care as well as diagnostic approaches can be elaborated and compared from different sites, using validated instruments. Registries in allergic diseases are also becoming well recognized, and the first registry on CU, accessible from SLaai's webpage, includes parameters for identification, evaluation and management. In our vision, informatics strategies have the potential to improve care for chronic illnesses such as CU. The registry represents a valid instrument from which to obtain a sufficient sample size for epidemiological studies and/or clinical research planning, including feasibility and potential enrollment. It can also provide invaluable data for adapting guidelines to local populations, as well as diagnostic approaches and cost-effective interventions in the context of organizational efforts to improve patient care.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the chronic urticaria quality-of-life questionnaire - CU-Q2oL.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a debilitating skin disorder that affects patients' health related quality of life and the only questionnaire prepared specifically to CU is the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q(2)oL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the CU-Q(2)oL Brazilian-Portuguese version. METHODS: Forward and back translation by three bilingual translators followed by pre-test was used to adapt the questionnaire. The CU-Q(2)oL was self-administered along with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in 112 patients with CU. Disease activity was assessed using the Urticaria Activity Score. Factor analysis was used to identify scales of the Brazilian portuguese CU-Q(2)oL. Internal consistency, convergent validity and known-group validity was determined. Reproducibility was evaluated by interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predicting factors of CU-Q(2)oL results. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed a three-dimensional structure: sleep/mental status/eating (I), pruritus/impact on life activities (II) and swelling/limits/look (III), which explained 52.49% of the total variance. All scales showed excellent internal consistency. External construct validity was supported by correlations between the CU-Q(2)oL and DLQI. The tool was found to be able to differentiate between patients with high and low levels of urticaria activity. Test-retest reliability was good to excellent (ICC = 0.69-0.86). Disease severity and urticaria type were the only factors predicting results. CONCLUSIONS: The CU-Q(2)oL Brazilian portuguese version was easily filled out, well accepted by the patients, demonstrated an acceptable validity and reliability and might be used to evaluate treatment outcomes and in clinical research.

Inmunoterapia específica para enfermedades alérgicas respiratorias: estado de la cuestión de acuerdo a los metanálisis actuales / Specific inmunotherapy for respiratory allergy: state of the art according to current meta-analyses

Objetivos: evaluar la eficacia de la inmunoterapia alergeno especifica (IT)en el tratamiento del asma y la rinitis alérgica de niños y adultos, mediante el examen de diferentes metanálisis (MTA) realizados hasta la actualidad.