Consensus on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of chronic spontaneous urticaria in adults - Brazilian Society of Dermatology

Abstract: Background: Urticarias are frequent diseases, with 15% to 20% of the population presenting at least one acute episode in their lifetime. Urticaria are classified in acute ( ≤ 6 weeks) or chronic (> 6 weeks). They may be induced or spontaneous. Objectives: To verify the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), according to the experience of Brazilian experts, regarding the available guidelines (international and US). Methods: A questionnaire was sent to Brazilian experts, with questions concerning diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for CSU in adults. Results: Sixteen Brazilian experts answered the questionnaire related to diagnosis and therapy of CSU in adults and data were analyzed. Final text was written, considering the available guidelines (International and US), adapted to the medical practices in Brazil. Diagnostic work up in CSU is rarely necessary. Biopsy of skin lesion and histopathology may be indicated to rule out other diseases, such as, urticarial vasculitis. Other laboratory tests, such as complete blood count, CRP, ESR and thyroid screening. Treatment of CSU includes second-generation anti-histamines (sgAH) at licensed doses, sgAH two, three to fourfold doses (non-licensed) and omalizumab. Other drugs, such as, cyclosporine, immunomodulatory drugs and immunosuppressants may be indicated (non-licensed and with limited scientific evidence). Conclusions: Most of the Brazilian experts in this study partially agreed with the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the International and US guidelines. They agreed with the use of sgAH at licensed doses. Increase in the dose to fourfold of sgAH may be suggested with restrictions, due to its non-licensed dose. Sedating anti-histamines, as suggested by the US guideline, are indicated by some of the Brazilian experts, due to its availability. Adaptations are mandatory in the treatment of CSU, due to scarce or lack of other therapeutic resources in the public health system in Brazil, such as omalizumab or cyclosporine.

Chronic urticaria in adults: state-of-the-art in the new millennium

Chronic urticaria has been explored in several investigative aspects in the new millennium, either as to its pathogenesis, its stand as an autoimmune or auto-reactive disease, the correlation with HLA-linked genetic factors, especially with class II or its interrelation with the coagulation and fibrinolysis systems. New second-generation antihistamines, which act as good symptomatic drugs, emerged and were commercialized over the last decade. Old and new drugs that may interfere with the pathophysiology of the disease, such as cyclosporine and omalizumab have been developed and used as treatments. The purpose of this article is to describe the current state of knowledge on aspects of chronic urticaria such as, pathophysiology, diagnosis and the current therapeutic approach proposed in the literature.

Evaluation of D-dimer serum levels among patients with chronic urticaria, psoriasis and urticarial vasculitis / Avaliação dos níveis séricos de D-dímeros entre doentes com urticária crônica, psoríase e urticária vasculite

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes, under appropriated stimulus, may express tissue factor and therefore, activate the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. We performed a transversal and case-control study of patients with chronic urticaria and patients with psoriasis, in our outpatient clinic to evaluate the production of D-dimer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate D-dimer serum levels in patients with chronic urticaria and its possible correlation with disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted from October 2010 until March 2011. We selected 37 consecutive patients from our Allergy Unit and Psoriasis Unit, and divided them into three groups for statistical analysis: (i) 12 patients with active chronic urticaria (CU); (ii) 10 patients with chronic urticaria under remission and (iii) 15 patients with psoriasis (a disease with skin inflammatory infiltrate constituted by neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes). Another five patients with urticarial vasculitis were allocated in our study, but not included in statistical analysis. The serum levels of D-dimer were measured by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA), and the result units were given in ng/ml FEU. RESULTS: Patients with active chronic urticaria had the highest serum levels of D-dimer (p<0.01), when compared to patients with CU under remission and the control group (patients with psoriasis). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with active chronic urticaria have higher serum levels of D-dimer, when compared to patients with chronic urticaria under remission and patients with psoriasis. We found elevated serum levels of D-dimer among patients with urticarial vasculitis. .

FUNDAMENTOS: Tem sido demonstrado que os neutrófilos, eosinófilos e monócitos, sob estímulo apropriado, podem expressar fator tecidual e, portanto, ativar a via extrínseca da coagulação. Realizamos um estudo transversal e caso-controle de pacientes com urticária crônica e pacientes com psoríase em nosso ambulatório para avaliar a produção de dímero-D. OBJETIVO: Avaliar níveis de dímero-D em pacientes com urticária crônica e sua possível correlação com a atividade da doença. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: O estudo foi conduzido de outubro de 2010 até março de 2011. Nós selecionamos 37 pacientes consecutivos da Unidade de Alergia e Unidade de Psoríase, divididos em três grupos para análise estatística: (i) 12 pacientes com urticária crônica ativa; (ii) 10 pacientes com urticária crônica em remissão e (iii) 15 pacientes com psoríase (uma doença com a pele infiltrado inflamatório constituído por neutrófilos, linfócitos e monócitos). Outros cinco pacientes com vasculite urticariforme foram alocados em nosso estudo, mas não incluídos na análise estatística. Os níveis séricos de D-dímero foram medidos por Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA), e os resultados foram medidos em ng / ml FEU. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes com urticária crônica ativa tinham níveis séricos mais altos de dímero-D (p <0,01), quando comparados aos pacientes com urticária crônica em remissão e ao grupo controle (pacientes com psoríase). CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes com urticária crônica ativa têm níveis séricos mais elevados de dímero-D, quando comparados aos pacientes ...