Guia prático de urticária para grupos especiais de pacientes / Practical guide to urticaria for special patient groups

A urticária crônica é uma condição que afeta mais de um milhão de brasileiros, com grande impacto na qualidade de vida. Mesmo com diretrizes bem difundidas para o seu diagnóstico e tratamento, seu manejo pode ser desafiador em pacientes pediátricos, idosos e gestantes. Para auxiliar o médico especialista nestes casos, o Departamento Científico de Urticária da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia elaborou esta revisão com as principais dúvidas e dificuldades referentes ao tema nestes grupos de pacientes.

Chronic urticaria is a condition that affects more than a million Brazilians with a significant impact on quality of life. Although there are well-established guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, the management of chronic urticaria may be challenging in pediatric, older, and pregnant patients. With the purpose of helping specialists manage these cases, the Urticaria Scientific Department of the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology prepared this review with the most common doubts and difficulties about this topic in those patient groups.

Guia prático de urticária aguda / Practical guide to acute urticaria

A urticária aguda é uma causa frequente de consulta com alergistas, caracterizada por urticas e/ou angioedema. Embora autolimitada e benigna, pode causar desconforto significativo e raramente representar uma doença sistêmica grave ou reação alérgica com risco de vida. Nesta revisão, elaborada pelo Departamento Científico de Urticária da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia, foram abordadas as principais questões referentes ao tema para auxiliar o médico especialista e generalista.

Acute urticaria is a frequent cause of consultations with allergists, being characterized by wheals and/or angioedema. Although self-limited and benign, it may cause significant discomfort and uncommonly represent a serious systemic disease or life-threatening allergic reaction. In this review prepared by the Urticaria Scientific Department of the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology, the main questions about this topic are addressed to help specialists and general practitioners.

Omalizumabe no tratamento de urticária solar refratária aos anti-histamínicos: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Omalizumab in the treatment of solar urticaria refractory to antihistamines: a case report and literature review

A urticária solar é uma forma rara de urticária crônica induzida (UCInd). Os sintomas se iniciam minutos após a exposição ao sol e persistem por até 2 horas, interferindo nas atividades diárias do paciente, e consequentemente na sua qualidade de vida. O omalizumabe, anticorpo monoclonal anti-IgE já aprovado para o tratamento da urticária crônica espontânea, tem sido utilizado no tratamento das urticárias crônicas induzidas com boa resposta, inclusive na urticária solar. Neste artigo, relatamos um caso de urticária solar refratária aos anti-histaminicos, sua evolução após o uso do omalizumabe, e fazemos uma breve revisão da literatura sobre o tema.

Solar urticaria is a rare form of chronic inducible urticaria. Symptoms start minutes after exposure to the sun and persist for up to 2 hours, interfering with the patients' daily activities and, consequently, their quality of life. Omalizumab, a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody already approved for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria, has been used in the treatment of chronic inducible urticaria, including solar urticaria, with good response. In this article, we report a case of solar urticaria refractory to antihistamines, show the patient's evolution after the use of omalizumab, and briefly review the literature on the subject.

Guia prático do tratamento com omalizumabe para urticária crônica espontânea / Practical guide to omalizumab treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria

A urticária crônica é uma doença com grande impacto socioeconômico e na qualidade de vida do indivíduo. O adequado conhecimento de formas de tratamento eficazes e com perfil de segurança satisfatório, assim como dos mecanismos preditores de resposta ao tratamento, são essenciais para que se alcance um controle adequado da doença. O omalizumabe é um anticorpo monoclonal anti-IgE com eficácia reconhecida e bom perfil de segurança no tratamento da urticária crônica. Objetivamos elucidar questões envolvidas no manejo desta medicação, através da revisão em literatura de estudos atuais e com relevância clínica. Foi realizado levantamento de questões importantes e pouco elucidadas, buscando respostas baseadas nestes estudos. Com isso, foram abordados aspectos práticos do tratamento com o omalizumabe, esclarecendo desde os fenótipos dos pacientes e conduta adequada para estas diferentes situações, trazendo possíveis fatores preditores de resposta ao tratamento e contemplando também um novo anticorpo monoclonal anti-IgE no manejo destes pacientes.

Chronic urticaria is a disease with great socioeconomic impact on people's quality of life. Adequate knowledge of effective treatments with a satisfactory safety profile as well as of the predictive mechanisms of response to treatment are essential for achieving adequate disease control. Omalizumab is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody with recognized efficacy and a good safety profile in the treatment of chronic urticaria. We aim to elucidate issues involving the management of this medication through a literature review of current studies with clinical relevance. A survey of important and unclear questions was conducted, and the answers were sought in the studies. Thus, practical aspects of omalizumab treatment were addressed, including the phenotypes of patients and appropriate approaches for different situations. Possible predictive factors of response to treatment and a new anti-IgE monoclonal antibody for the management of these patients were also reported.

Tolerância ao paracetamol em crianças com hipersensibilidade não seletiva aos anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais / Tolerance to paracetamol in children with non-selective hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Introdução: Os anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais (AINEs) estão envolvidos na maior parte das reações de hipersensibilidade a drogas na América Latina. Objetivos: Avaliar a tolerância ao paracetamol em crianças com história sugestiva de hipersensibilidade não seletiva aos AINEs. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de análise de dados de pacientes pediátricos atendidos em ambulatório especializado no período de julho de 2011 a julho de 2017. Os dados foram analisados e registrados em questionário padronizado adaptado. As reações foram classificadas como seletivas ou não seletivas. Pacientes com história clínica a um único AINE foram submetidos a teste de provocação oral (TPO) com o ácido acetilsalicílico para definição da seletividade ou não da reação. TPO com paracetamol foi realizado em todos os que relataram reação ao mesmo. Resultados: A maior parte dos pacientes tinha hipersensibilidade não seletiva a AINEs. A dipirona foi implicada em todos os casos, seguida do ibuprofeno (78%) e do paracetamol (51%). Todos os pacientes com história de hipersensibilidade seletiva foram provocados com outro AINE inibidor forte de COX-1, que não aquele implicado em sua história, e todos demonstraram tolerância. Os 22 pacientes cuja história apontava envolvimento do paracetamol foram submetidos a TPO e todas as provocações resultaram negativas. O etoricoxibe foi testado como droga alternativa em oito pacientes e se demonstrou ser uma opção segura (todas as provocações negativas). Conclusão: Apesar da elevada frequência de relato de reações ao paracetamol, a maioria das crianças tolera o composto que é, sem dúvida alguma, alternativa segura frente à hipersensibilidade não seletiva aos AINEs.

Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the group of drugs most frequently involved in hypersensitivity reactions in Latin America. Objectives: To evaluate tolerance to paracetamol in children with non-selective hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs. Methods: Clinical records of children treated at a specialized outpatient clinic from July 2011 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The data were registered in a specific questionnaire and reactions were defined as selective or non-selective. The diagnosis was confirmed by oral drug provocation test with acetylsalicylic acid in patients with only one NSAID implicated in clinical history to confirm whether the hypersensitivity reaction was selective. Tolerance to paracetamol was also evaluated through drug provocation tests. Results: Most of the cases were classified as non-selective hypersensitivity reactions. Dipirone was implicated in all the cases, followed by ibuprofen (78%) and paracetamol (51%). All patients with selective hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs underwent a drug provocation test with an alternative COX-1 inhibitor and all of them tolerated it. Twenty-two patients were tested with paracetamol and all of them had negative results. Tolerance to etoricoxib was also evaluated through drug provocation tests, all negative. Conclusion: Paracetamol can be considered a great alternative drug in children with non-selective hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs.

Anafilaxia: dados de um registro de pacientes atendidos em um serviço especializado / Anaphylaxis: data from a patient registry in a specialized service

Introdução: Dados relacionados à prevalência e incidência da anafilaxia são escassos, especialmente no Brasil. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico e características das reações em pacientes com diagnóstico de anafilaxia assistidos em um ambulatório especializado de alergia. Métodos: Análise de um registro de pacientes (maio/2017 a junho/2018) com diagnóstico de anafilaxia. Informações sobre idade, sexo, apresentação clínica, desencadeantes, conhecimento prévio do desencadeante, estudos diagnósticos realizados, antecedentes pessoais de atopia, tempo entre a exposição e a reação, ambiente onde ocorreu a reação, tratamento e gravidade foram analisados. Resultados: Do total de 150 pacientes (43 dias de vida a 67 anos), 52% eram homens e 66% tinham menos de 18 anos. As principais manifestações clínicas referidas foram as cutâneas e as respiratórias. O tempo entre a exposição ao desencadeante e a reação foi mais comumente menor de 10 minutos. A maioria dos pacientes teve anafilaxia em ambiente não hospitalar, porém, 78% foram tratados em ambiente hospitalar e 57% destes receberam adrenalina intramuscular (IM). Os desencadeantes foram confirmados em 78% dos casos, e os alimentos e as drogas foram os mais implicados. Os pacientes que apresentaram reações desencadeadas por alimentos eram mais jovens e relatavam mais frequentemente reações em menos de 10 minutos e em ambiente não hospitalar. Estes pacientes também relatavam mais frequentemente que conheciam previamente o desencadeante, apresentam antecedente pessoal de atopia e receberam tratamento com adrenalina intramuscular (IM). Dezesseis pacientes apresentaram reações graves, sendo mais frequentes nas mulheres e nos maiores de 18 anos. Conclusão: A anafilaxia por drogas ou por alimentos manifesta diferenças clínicas quanto à idade, ter antecedentes de atopia, local da reação e tempo para início da reação. A gravidade das reações anafiláticas associou-se à idade dos pacientes.

Introduction: Data on prevalence and incidence of anaphylaxis are scarce, especially in Brazil. Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile and characteristics of reactions in patients diagnosed with anaphylaxis seen at an allergy outpatient clinic. Methods: A patient registry of confirmed cases of anaphylaxis (from May 2017 to June 2018) was analyzed. Age, gender, clinical presentation, triggers, previous knowledge of the trigger, diagnostic studies, atopy background, time gap between exposure and reaction, place where the reaction occurred, treatment and severity were analyzed. Results: From a total of 150 patients (43 days to 67 years of age), 52% were men and 66% were under 18 years of age. The most frequent symptom categories were cutaneous and respiratory. The time gap between exposure to trigger and reaction was more commonly less than 10 minutes. Most of the patients had anaphylaxis in a non-hospital setting; however, 78% were treated in a hospital and 57% of them received intramuscular (IM) epinephrine. The triggers were identified in 78% of cases and predominantly consisted of food and drugs. Patients who had a food-triggered reaction were younger and more frequently reported reactions in less than 10 minutes and in non-hospital settings. These patients also more frequently reported previous knowledge of the trigger, had an atopy background and were treated with IM epinephrine. Sixteen patients had severe reactions, which were more frequent in women and in those over 18 years of age. Conclusion: Clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis triggered by drugs or food may vary depending on age, atopy background, place where the reaction occurs, and time gap before initiation of the reaction. The severity of anaphylactic reactions was associated with age of the patients.

Tradução e adaptação transcultural para o idioma português (Brasil) do instrumento "Angioedema Activity Score" / Translation and cross-cultural adaptation to the Portuguese language (Brazil) of the instrument "Angioedema Activity Score"

Introdução: Tradução e adaptação transcultural do instrumento Escore de Atividade do Angioedema (Angioedema Activity Score - AAS) para o idioma português do Brasil. Métodos: O documento original em alemão foi traduzido para o português (cultura brasileira) e posteriormente retrovertido para a língua alemã. As traduções foram analisadas pelos pesquisadores brasileiros e alemães para definição da versão final em português. A versão final foi respondida por 10 pacientes com angioedema recorrente, com o intuito de identificar possíveis dificuldades na compreensão e nos termos utilizados. Resultados: Todos os pacientes compreenderam as perguntas, embora apenas a metade tenha preenchido adequadamente o questionário. Conclusões: O documento do Escore de Atividade do Angioedema adaptado para a cultura brasileira se mostrou um instrumento fidedigno à versão alemã original.

Introduction: To translate and validate the Angioedema Activity Score to Brazilian Portuguese aiming further use of this tool in patients with recurrent angioedema. Methods: The original questionnaire in German was translated into Portuguese (Brazilian culture) and subsequently back translated into the German language. The translations were analyzed by Brazilian and German researchers to define the final version in Portuguese. The final version was administered to 10 patients with recurrent angioedema in order to identify possible issues in understanding the terms used. Results: All patients had a good comprehension of the questions, but only half of them completed the questionnaire properly. Conclusions: The Angioedema Activity Score adapted to the Brazilian culture proved to be a reliable instrument to the original German version.

Ferramentas para avaliação e acompanhamento da urticária crônica / Patient-reported outcomes for the evaluation and follow-up of chronic urticaria

Urticária é uma doença pruriginosa da pele na qual ocorrem urticas e/ou angioedema. A urticária é definida como crônica quando persiste por 6 semanas ou mais. A urticária crônica tem um grande impacto na vida diária do paciente. Atualmente, não há biomarcadores confiáveis para identificar e medir a atividade da doença na urticária crônica espontânea. Consequentemente, o uso de ferramentas conhecidas por patient-reported outcomes (PROs) é crucial ao avaliar e monitorar diferentes aspectos da urticária crônica, como atividade/gravidade da doença, controle da doença e qualidade de vida. Apresentamos uma visão geral de cinco PROs usados na avaliação da urticária crônica, e destacamos suas vantagens, limitações e uso na prática clínica e pesquisa.

Urticaria is an itching skin disease characterized by the presence of wheals and/or angioedema. Urticaria is defined as chronic when it persists for 6 weeks or more. Chronic urticaria has great impact on the daily lives of patients. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers to identify and measure disease activity in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Consequently, the use of tools known as patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is crucial when evaluating and monitoring different aspects of chronic urticaria such as disease activity/severity, disease control, and quality of life. We present an overview of the five PROs used in the evaluation of chronic urticaria, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and use in clinical practice and research.

Hypersensitivity reactions to non beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, a statement of the WAO special committee on drug allergy.

Antibiotics are used extensively in the treatment of various infections. Consequently, they can be considered among the most important agents involved in adverse reactions to drugs, including both allergic and non-allergic drug hypersensitivity [J Allergy Clin Immunol 113:832-836, 2004]. Most studies published to date deal mainly with reactions to the beta-lactam group, and information on hypersensitivity to each of the other antimicrobial agents is scarce. The present document has been produced by the Special Committee on Drug Allergy of the World Allergy Organization to present the most relevant information on the incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, possible mechanisms, and management of hypersensitivity reactions to non beta-lactam antimicrobials for use by practitioners worldwide.

Outcomes and safety of drug provocation tests.

Drug provocation tests (DPTs) are considered the gold standard for identifying adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The aim of this study was to analyze DPT results and discuss severe systemic reactions associated with them. This was a retrospective analysis of 500 patients with ADRs who sought treatment and were submitted to DPTs when indicated between 2006 and 2010. We performed DPTs according to the European Network for Drug Allergy recommendations. Single-blind, placebo-controlled DPTs were performed with antibiotics, local anesthetics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as with other drugs. Patient characteristics, DPT results, and reactions were analyzed. The sample comprised 198 patients (80.8% of whom were female patients) submitted to 243 DPTs. Ages ranged from 9 to 84 years (mean, 39.9 years). The 243 DPTs were performed with local anesthetics (n = 93), antibiotics (n = 19), acetaminophen (n = 44), benzydamine (n = 33), COX-2 inhibitors (n = 26), dipyrone (n = 7), aspirin (n = 4), or other drugs (n = 17). The results of 4 tests (1.6%) were inconclusive, whereas those of 10 (4.1%) revealed positive reactions to antibiotics (2/19), COX-2 inhibitors (2/26), acetaminophen (3/44), and local anesthetics (3/93). Two severe reactions were observed: cephalexin-induced anaphylactic shock and bupivacaine-induced anaphylaxis without shock. Four patients (2.0%) reacted to the placebo before administration of the drug. Drug provocation tests are safe for use in clinical practice but they should be placebo-controlled and should be performed under the supervision of an allergist. To confirm a presumptive diagnosis and to manage allergies appropriately, it is crucial to perform DPTs.

Drug hypersensitivity in students from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Drug hypersensitivity is responsible for substantial mortality and morbidity, and increased health costs. However, epidemiological data on drug hypersensitivity in general or specific populations are scarce. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of 1015 university students, using a self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported drug hypersensitivity was 12,11% (123/1015). The most frequently implicated drugs were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (45,9%) and beta-lactam and sulfonamide antibiotics (25,40%). The majority of the patients reported dermatological manifestations (99), followed by respiratory (40), digestive (23) and other (19). Forty-five patients had an immediate type reaction, and 76,72% (89) had the drug by oral route. CONCLUSION: The results showed that drug hypersensitivity is highly prevalent in university students, and that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and antibiotics (beta-lactams and sulfonamide) are the most frequently concerned drugs.

Drug hypersensitivity in students from São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Drug hypersensitivity is responsible for substantial mortality and morbidity, and increased health costs. However, epidemiological data on drug hypersensitivity in general or specific populations are scarce. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of 1015 university students, using a self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported drug hypersensitivity was 12,11 percent (123/1015). The most frequently implicated drugs were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (45,9 percent) and beta-lactam and sulfonamide antibiotics (25,40 percent). The majority of the patients reported dermatological manifestations (99), followed by respiratory (40), digestive (23) and other (19). Forty-five patients had an immediate type reaction, and 76,72 percent (89) had the drug by oral route. CONCLUSION: The results showed that drug hypersensitivity is highly prevalent in university students, and that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and antibiotics (beta-lactams and sulfonamide) are the most frequently concerned drugs.

Epileptic seizure after treatment with thiocolchicoside.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions are important determinants of inpatient and outpatient morbidity. Thiocolchicoside is a semisynthetic derivate of naturally occurring colchicoside, which is largely used in humans as a centrally acting muscle relaxant. Epileptic seizures after thiocolchicoside intake have been reported in individuals with a history of epilepsy, acute brain injury or possible blood-brain barrier disruption. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 66-year-old male patient presenting a sudden epileptic seizure temporally related to the intake of thiocolchicoside for muscle contracture and pain. The probably causes of the seizures were thiocolchicoside intake and cerebral microhemorrhages attributed to cerebral amyloid angiopathy. DISCUSSION: Drugs only rarely cause focal seizures. Our case indicates that thiocolchicoside can precipitate seizures in predisposed patients, and that its use should be avoided in patients with brain diseases (and therefore lower seizure thresholds) or blood-brain barrier disruption. This information should be provided in the drug package insert.