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Aug 11
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Urticaria (angioedema) and COVID- 19 infection

Chronic Urticaria: The Need for Improved Definition

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Gómez RM, Bernstein JA, Ansotegui I, Maurer M

Front Allergy. 2022 Jun 9;3:905677. doi: 10.3389/falgy.2022.905677. PMID: 35769560; PMCID: PMC9234868.

Chronic urticaria is usually diagnosed after daily or almost daily presence of symptoms for more than 6 weeks. Urticaria symptoms include pruritic wheals or hives, accompanied by angioedema in 40% of cases. Up to 20% of patients have isolated angioedema. Chronic urticaria represents a significant burden which has been extensively reported with numerous validated patient-reported outcome measures that represent a significant impact on several aspects of life ranging from physical discomfort to personal mood changes (anxiety and depression) which frequently interferes with interpersonal relationships, daily activities including work and school. It is not a surprise that management of chronic urticaria is related to substantial

costs to health care systems due to recurrent medical visits and treatments. Consequently, it is crucial to generate awareness among healthcare payors and other stakeholders on the prevalence of chronic urticaria and its impact on quality of life and on the economic burden it has on society. There is no consensus on diagnostic and management criteria for CU, which makes this task more challenging.

In conclusion, the health and economic burden of chronic urticaria is significant and should not be underestimated. The significant impact of this condition requires that physicians and other health care providers understand how to properly identify and manage this condition.

An expert consensus on diagnostic and management criteria for chronic urticaria is needed.

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Aug 11
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Compositional alteration of the nasal microbiome and Staphylococcus aureus-characterized dysbiosis in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Kim HJ, Kim JH, Han S, Kim W

Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Jun 8. doi: 10.21053/ceo.2021.01928. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35680131.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an IgE and Th2-mediated inflammatory nasal disease. It originates from a sensitized immune response to inhaled allergens, which is thought to result from an imbalance in the Th1-Th2 immune regulation, resulting in increased levels of Th2 cytokines. Nasal ephitelial cells exposed to allergens induce Th2 inflammatory responses that spread to the upper airway mucosa. A commensalism host-microbial can be the basis of the innate immune responses in the nasal mucosa, and the microbial characteristics of the nasal mucus can impact the mechanisms of the initial allergic response. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the microbial composition in the nasal mucus of patients with AR and to understand the relationship between dysbiosis of the nasal microbiome and allergic inflammation.

The investigators analyzed the microbiota of 104 samples (n=42 participants with AR vs. n=30 healthy participants), in a total of 364,923 high-quality bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA-encoding gene sequence reads. The nasal mucus of healthy participants had mainly Proteobacteria (Ralstonia genus) and Actinobacteria (Propionibacterium genus) phyla, whereas the Firmicutes (Staphylococcus genus) phylum was significantly abundant in the nasal mucus of participants with AR. More sequencing data from 32 participants (healthy participants: n=15, AR patients: n=17) shown a greater abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium

accolens, and Nocardia coeliaca, in 41.55% of mapped sequences in the nasal mucus of healthy participants. Patients with AR had a more pronounced dysbiosis of nasal microbiome and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the greatest abundance (37.69%).

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the nasal mucus of patients with AR have S. aureus–dominant dysbiosis, which suggests a role of host–microbial commensalism in allergic inflammation.

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Aug 10
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Autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Kolkhir P, Muñoz M, Asero R, Ferrer M, Kocatürk E, Metz M, Xiang YK, Maurer M

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 Jun;149(6):1819-1831. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.04.010. PMID: 35667749.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) symptoms include the recurrent spontaneous appearance of wheals and intense itch that may last from hours to days and occur for several years. Some patients develop localized and self-limiting angioedema. These manifestations result from a temporary increase in vascular permeability. Almost 13% of patients with CSU experience angioedema and do not develop wheals.

There are 2 main autoimmune mechanisms for CSU: type I autoimmune (autoallergic) CSU, which is associated with with IgE antibodies against autoantigens; and type IIb autoimmune CSU, which is mediated by autoantibodies that activate mast cells via IgE and FceRI. Type IIb autoimmune CSU is present in almost 10% of patients and is characterized by higher disease severity, concomitant autoimmune diseases, low levels of total IgE, elevated levels of IgG-anti–thyroid peroxidase, basopenia, eosinopenia, poor response to antihistamines and to omalizumab, and a good response to cyclosporine. Some new targeted therapies are under development, such as the anti-IgE, ligelizumab, and the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, fenebrutinib and remibrutinib, and an anti-IL-4Ra, dupilumab.

There are missing some studies on the overlap between autoallergic and type IIb autoimmune CSU and on the optimal management of both types of autoimmune CSU, with easy-to-perform, noninvasive and inexpensive markers to assess the treatment response.

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Aug 10
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Comorbid allergic rhinitis and asthma: important clinical considerations

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Nappi E, Paoletti G, Malvezzi L, Ferri S, Racca F, Messina MR, Puggioni F, Heffler E, Canonica GW

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2022 Jun 19:1-12. doi: 10.1080/1744666X.2022.2089654. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35695326.

There are several links between asthma and allergic rhinitis in the same patient, although these conditions are frequently underdiagnosed with suboptimal clinical outcomes. The two conditions coexist and share clinical, pathogenic, and pathophysiological mechanisms.

The aim of this article was to review the major links between the mechanisms of allergic rhinitis and asthma, as well as their treatment according to existing guidelines, focusing on treatment of allergic rhinitis in patients with comorbid asthma.

The authors concluded there are some unmet needs for patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Not all allergic rhinitis patients are screened for asthma. This screening should be conducted with a multidisciplinary approach to characterize the journey of patients with respiratory allergies to subsequently refer adequately to Allergy/Asthma centers. There may be advantages in treatment with allergen immunotherapy and/or biosimilars, which might represent encouraging advances in the management of both conditions.

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Jun 30
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Intralymphatic immunotherapy with one or two allergens renders similar clinical response in patients with allergic rhinitis due to birch and grass pollen

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Ahlbeck L, Ahlberg E, Björkander J, Aldén C, Papapavlou G, Palmberg L, Nyström U, Retsas P, Nordenfelt P, Togö T, Johansen P, Rolander B, Duchén K, Jenmalm MC

Clin Exp Allergy. 2022 Jun;52(6):747-759. doi: 10.1111/cea.14138. Epub 2022 Apr 1. PMID: 35332591

Nearly 1/3 of the adult population of Sweden report allergic rhinitis. Although the prevalence of allergic sensitization is up to nearly half of the patients, there is a gap for a fast, efficient, and safe way to stimulate tolerance in patients with severe allergic rhinitis.

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy after intralymphatic immunotherapy with one or two allergens: birch- or grass pollen or both and to determine its immune modulatory effects including changes in spontaneous and allergen-induced cytokine and chemokine production, and proportions of T helper cell subsets in circulation.

People with severe birch and timothy allergy were randomized and received three doses of 0.1 ml of birch and 5-grass allergen extracts (10,000 SQ units/ml), or birch and placebo or 5-grass and placebo by ultrasound-guided injections into inguinal lymph nodes at monthly intervals. Characteristics reported before treatment and after each birch and grass pollen season included: rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score, medication score and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire and circulating proportions of T helper subsets and allergen-induced cytokine and chemokine production (analysed by flow cytometry and Luminex).

After treatment with one or two allergens, the three groups related less symptoms, littler use of medication and better quality of life during the birch and grass pollen seasons, at an approximate rate. The most common adverse event reported was mild local pain. IgE levels to birch decreased, whereas birch-induced IL-10 secretion increased in all three groups. IgG4 levels to birch and timothy and skin prick test reactivity persisted mainly unaffected. Conjunctival challenge tests with timothy extract indicated a superior threshold for allergen. In all three groups, regulatory T cell frequencies were augmented 3 years after treatment.

In conclusion, intralymphatic immunotherapy with one or two allergens in people with grass and birch pollen allergy was effective and safe and may be associated with other immune modulatory responses.

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Dec 17
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Clinical and histological characteristics during chronic urticaria with dermal neutrophilic infiltrate: Proposal of a diagnostic score

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

A Brehon, P Moguelet, V Seta, E Amsler, A Fajac, A Barbaud, A Soria, JB Monfort

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol . 2021 Nov 6. doi: 10.1111/jdv.17788. Online ahead of print.

There are some arguments on whether neutrophilic urticaria (NU) is distinct from chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), although with no consensus. This study aimed to compare clinical, biological, and histological characteristics and therapeutic responses between NU and CSU.

This was an observational, retrospective study that included adults with chronic urticarial rash who had undergone a skin biopsy. One dermatologist and one cytopathologist blindly and independently reviewed the biopsies [cytology counting technique for a precise proportion of neutrophilic/eosinophilic polynuclear cells (PNN/PNEo)]. NU was defined by an inflammatory dermal infiltrate composed of at least 60% PNN, without leukocytoclasia/vasculitis.

Forty-four patients were included, and their biopsies were classified into two groups: NU (n=28) and CSU (n=16). From the bibliography, there are no characteristics related to PNN at histology, but an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the NU group (p=0.03). Colchicine also showed to be more effective in cases of significant neutrophilic infiltrate: 42.85% effectiveness in NU group versus 6.25% in CSU group.

Two other findings were a statistically associated relation with neutrophilic venulitis (p=0.04) (corresponding to an intraparietal aggregation of PNN without vasculitis) and a basophilic interstitial flame figure corresponding to degranulation of the PNN cytoplasm and exclusively associated with NU (p=0.04).

A diagnostic score was established using strict quantitative histological criteria (intensity of neutrophilic infiltrate, the existence of neutrophilic venulitis, basophilic flame figures, and intense leukocytoclasia), which allows the classification of urticarial eruptions into NU or UCS.

This score will allow diagnosis and homogenization of NU patients (it correctly classified 40 of the 44 patients from the study).

In conclusion, NU is an independent entity as some histological images were significantly (neutrophilic venulitis) or exclusively (basophilic flame figure) associated with an intense neutrophilic infiltrate. A prospective study is needed to validate this new score.

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Dec 17
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Impact of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma on COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization and Mortality

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Jianjun Ren, et al.

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract . 2021 Oct 30;S2213-2198(21)01202-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.10.049. Online ahead of print.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted worldwide health. Underlying diseases have been shown to affect the prevalence and outcomes of COVID-19. Allergic rhinitis and asthma can increase the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19, but it is not known to which extension. This study aimed to study the role of allergic rhinitis and/or asthma in COVID-19 infection, severity, and mortality and evaluate whether its long-term medication can affect COVID-19 outcomes.

A total of 70,557 persons who had a SARS-CoV-2 test between March 16 and December 31, 2020, in the UK Biobank were analyzed. The rate of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality concerning existing allergic rhinitis and/or asthma were statistically analyzed, together with the impact of long-term medications and the risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 infection.

People with allergic rhinitis had lower positive rates of SARS-CoV-2 tests (RR:0.75; 95%CI, 0.69-0.81, p<0.001), with men having a lower susceptibility (RR:0.74; 95%CI, 0.65-0.85, p<0.001) than women (RR:0.8; 95%CI, 0.72-0.9, p<0.001). People with asthma had comparable results if they were <65 years-old (RR:0.93; 95%CI, 0.86-1, p=0.044). People with asthma who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had a higher risk of hospitalization (RR:1.42; 95%CI, 1.32-1.54, p<0.001). COVID-19 mortality was not impacted by allergic rhinitis or asthma. There was no relation between COVID-19 infection and severity and conventional medications for allergic rhinitis and/or asthma.

In conclusion, allergic rhinitis and asthma (<65 years old) may be a protective factor against COVID-19 infection, with asthma increasing the risk of hospitalization.

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Dec 17
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What Basophil Testing Tells Us About CSU Patients – Results of the CORSA Study

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

João Marcelino, et al.

Front Immunol. 2021 Sep 28;12:742470. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742470. eCollection 2021

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common condition in adults and children, impacting the quality of life. Recent studies characterized chronic spontaneous urticaria as an autoantibody-driven condition, with mast cells and basophils being activated through two distinct pathways: type I autoimmune CSU, where IgE autoantibodies are cross-linked by self-antigens; and type IIb autoimmune CSU, where IgG and IgM autoantibodies are directed against IgE receptors on the surface of mast cells and basophils. Basophil testing is the most effective way to diagnose type IIb autoimmune CSU: a positive basophil test correlates to long disease duration, higher disease activity, poor response to antihistamines and omalizumab, and a better response to cyclosporine and fenebrutinib.

The objective of this study was to identify features of basophil test-positive patients.

This was a cross-sectional study that included 85 participants with CSU. They were tested for basophils with the basophil-activation test (BAT), the basophil histamine release assay (BHRA), and data were statistically analyzed.

Of all the participants, 44% tested positive with the BAST, and 28% tested positive with BHRA. These participants had higher activity and impact of disease, less disease control, and lower total serum IgE. In contrast, they had a higher rate of positive autologous serum skin test (ASST), angioedema, nocturnal symptoms, symptoms more than five days/week, and thyroid autoantibodies. The ASST was a good predictor of a positive basophil test when combined with angioedema, thyroid autoantibodies, and low IgE.

This study showed that a positive basophil test is related to known characteristics of type II autoimmune CSU, allowing a better approach to these patients’ condition management.

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Dec 16
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Prevalence, Management, and Anaphylaxis Risk of Cold Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Connor Prosty, Sofianne Gabrielli, Michelle Le, Luis F. Ensina, Xun Zhang, Elena Netchiporouk and Moshe Ben-Shoshan.

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract . 2021 Oct 18;S2213-2198(21)01129-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.10.012. Online ahead of print.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria can be caused by specific triggers, namely cold, exercise or heat. Chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) can coexist with chronic spontaneous urticaria and is defined as a particular trigger that provokes the symptoms. Cold inducible urticaria is one example of physical urticaria caused by exposure to cold air, liquids, or objects and is associated with significant morbidity and risk for anaphylaxis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cold urticaria among cases of chronic urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria, evaluate its management, and determine the rate of associate anaphylaxis.

The investigators did bibliographic research in PubMed and EMBASE for papers on cold urticaria and/or chronic inducible urticaria in the past ten years. An analysis was made to determine the prevalence of cold urticaria among CIndU and chronic urticaria cases, its management with H1-antihistamines and omalizumab, and the rate of associated anaphylaxis.

The research identified 22 studies, of which 14 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of cold urticaria among patients with chronic urticaria and CIndU was, respectively, 7.62% [CI95%; 3.45%-15.99%; I2=98%] and 26.10% [CI95%; 14.17%-43.05%; I2=97%]. 95.67% of the cases of cold urticaria were managed by H1-antihistamines [CI95%; 92.47%-97.54%; I2=38%], and by omalizumab in 5.85% of the cases [CI95%; 2.55%-13.22%; I2=83%]. The pooled prevalence of anaphylaxis was 21.49% [CI95%; 15.79%-28.54%; I2=69%].

In conclusion, cold urticaria is common in cases of chronic urticaria and CIndU and frequently triggers anaphylaxis. H1-antihistamines are commonly used for its management, followed by omalizumab.

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Dec 16
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Particulate Matter Exposure and Allergic Rhinitis: The Role of Plasmatic Extracellular Vesicles and Bacterial Nasal Microbiome

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Jacopo Mariani, Simona Iodice, Laura Cantone, Giulia Solazzo, Paolo Marraccini, Emanuele Conforti, Pallav A. Bulsara, Maria Stella Lombardi, Robert P. Howlin, Valentina Bollati and Luca Ferrari

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct 12;18(20):10689. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010689.

Particulate matter (PM) exposure is known to worsen respiratory conditions, namely allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis prevalence is rising, affecting the quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms beneath the triggering of nasal and systemic inflammation by particulate matter, specifically the release of plasmatic extracellular vesicles and the relation between the host and nasal microbiome.

The study included 26 participants with allergic rhinitis and 24 matched healthy participants, whose reaction to PM10 and PM25 exposure was assessed on the bacteria-derived-extracellular vesicles portion (bEV) and the host-derived-extracellular vesicles (hEV), and also on the bacterial nasal microbiome (bNM). The function of bNM as a modifier of PM effects on the extracellular vesicles signaling network in the context of allergic rhinitis was also evaluated.

This study has shown an association between particulate matter exposure in participants with allergic rhinitis, both in the context of bNM composition and plasmatic extracellular vesicles release, affecting in different ways the release of extracellular vesicles and the composition of bNM. More studies are needed to better understand the link between particulate matter exposure and bNM modulation and plasmatic extracellular vesicles release and characterize the different responses observed in participants after particulate matter exposure.

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Nov 22
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Metabolomics Reveals Process of Allergic Rhinitis Patients with Single- and Double-Species Mite Subcutaneous Immunotherapy

By Selected articles

Zheng, P., Yan, G., Zhang, Y., Huang, H., Luo, W., Xue, M., Li, N., Wu, J. L., & Sun, B.

Metabolites . 2021 Sep 9;11(9):613. doi: 10.3390/metabo11090613.

Allergic rhinitis is also known as anaphylactic rhinitis and includes infectious inflammatory conditions of the nasal mucosa triggered by exposure to atopic allergens. House dust mites are the most common allergens in patients with rhinitis. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment that can change the course of allergic rhinitis, but there is a lack of knowledge in relation to AIT with single or mixed allergens. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the clinical efficacy of single-mite subcutaneous immunotherapy or double-mite subcutaneous immunotherapy using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire score to evaluate and compare its clinical efficacy.

Patients with allergic rhinitis caused by Dermatophagoides pternussinus and Dermatophagoides farinae received a single-mite and double-mite subcutaneous immunotherapy, respectively.

There was no significant difference in efficacy between treatments. A total of 57 metabolites were identified, among which down-stream metabolites (5(S)-HETE (Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid), 8(S)-HETE, 11(S)-HETE, 15(S)-HETE and 11-hydro TXB2) in the ω-6-related arachidonic acid and linoleic acid pathway showed significant differences after approximately one year of treatment with single-mite or double-mite subcutaneous immunotherapy, and the changes of the above serum metabolic components were correlated with the magnitude of rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire improvement, respectively.

The major difference found was with 11(S)-HETE, which decreased more with single-mite immunotherapy, having the possibility to be used as a biomarker to distinguish the two treatments.

In conclusion, both treatments showed therapeutic effects on patients with allergic rhinitis, with no differences in efficacy. The production of different inflammation-related metabolites can lead to potential biomarkers.

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Nov 22
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Lachnospira is a signature of antihistamine efficacy in chronic spontaneous urticaria

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Liu, R., Peng, C., Jing, D., Xiao, Y., Zhu, W., Zhao, S., Zhang, J., Chen, X., & Li, J.

Exp Dermatol. 2021 Sep 24. doi: 10.1111/exd.14460. Online ahead of print.

Chronic urticaria is a condition driven by mast cells, with an average lifetime prevalence of 1.4%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria is a common type of chronic urticaria that impacts quality of life and has a high economic and social burden. Chronic spontaneous urticaria is treated with oral second-generation antihistamines, however only half of the patients respond to up to quadruple doses of these antihistamines. It is known that gut microbiota can affect their efficacy. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between gut microbiota and the efficacy of antihistamines in people with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

The gut microbiota of fecal samples from 15 responders to antihistamine monotherapy and 15 non-responders was assessed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and the differential bacterial species between them were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Samples from 30 responders and 30 non-responders were used to confirm the differential bacterial species by qPCR.

The main difference between responders and non-responders was the presence of Lachnospiraceae and its subordinate taxa. The quantity of Lachnospira was higher in responders than non-responders.

In conclusion, the presence of Lachnospira has shown to have a moderate diagnostic value in assessing the efficacy of chronic urticaria with antihistamines.

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Nov 22
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The International EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI Guideline for the Definition, Classification, Diagnosis and Management of Urticaria

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Zuberbier T, Abdul Latiff AH, Abuzakouk M, et al.

Allergy . 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1111/all.15090. Online ahead of print.

Urticaria is a mast-cell-driven condition with symptoms such as wheals, angioedema, or both. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria reduce the quality of life, affecting performance at school and work.

This document is an update and revision of the international guideline for urticaria, from a consensus conference held on the 3rd of December of 2020. It covers the definition and classification of urticaria and outlines expert-guided and evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.

The objective of this guideline is to facilitate a definition and classification of urticaria, helping with data interpretation from different centers and areas of the world.

The table below summarizes the guideline.

How should urticaria be classified?
We recommend that urticaria is classified based on its duration as acute (<= 6 weeks) or chronic (> 6 weeks).

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus
We recommend that urticaria is classified as spontaneous (no definite eliciting factor involved) or inducible (specific definite factor involved).

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should we maintain the current guideline classification of chronic urticaria?
We recommend that the current guideline classification of chronic urticaria should be maintained.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should routine diagnostic measures be performed in acute urticaria?
We recommend against any routine diagnostic measures in acute spontaneous urticaria.

↓ ↓

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should differential diagnoses be considered in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria?
We recommend that differential diagnoses be considered in all patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of chronic urticaria based on the guideline algorithm.

­­↑ ↑

 Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

What routine diagnostic measures should be performed in chronic spontaneous urticaria?
We recommend limited investigations. Basic tests include differential blood count, CRP and/or ESR, and in specialized care total IgE and IgG anti-TPO, and more biomarkers as appropriate.

We recommend performing further diagnostic measures based on the patient history and examination, especially in patients with long standing and/or uncontrolled disease.

↑ ↑­­

Consensus**

Expert consensus

Should routine diagnostic measures be performed in inducible urticaria?
We recommend using provocation testing to diagnose chronic inducible urticaria.

We recommend using provocation threshold measurements and the UCT to measure disease activity and control in patients with chronic inducible urticaria, respectively.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should patients with chronic urticaria be assessed for disease activity, impact, and control?
We recommend that patients with CU be assessed for disease activity, impact, and control at every visit.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Which instruments should be used to assess and monitor disease activity in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients?
We recommend the use of the urticaria activity score, UAS7, and/or of the angioedema activity score, AAS, for assessing disease activity in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Which instruments should be used to assess and monitor quality of life impairment in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients?
We recommend the use of the chronic urticaria quality of life questionnaire, CU-Q2oL, and the angioedema quality of life questionnaire, AE-QoL, for assessing quality of life impairment in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Which instruments should be used to assess and monitor disease control in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients?
We recommend the use of the urticaria control test, UCT, and/or the angioedema control test, AECT, for assessing disease control in patients with CSU.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should treatment aim at complete symptom control in urticaria?
We recommend aiming at complete symptom control in urticaria, considering as much as possible the safety and the quality of life of each individual patient.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria be advised to discontinue medication that is suspected to worsen the disease?
We recommend advising patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria to discontinue medication that is suspected to worsen the disease, e.g. NSAIDs.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Should modern 2nd generation H1-antihistamines be used as first-line treatment of urticaria?
We recommend a 2nd generation H1-antihistamine as first-line treatment for all types of urticaria.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Is an increase in the dose to up to four-fold of modern 2nd generation H1-antihistamines useful and to be preferred over other treatments in urticaria?
We recommend updosing of a 2nd generation H1-antihistamine up to 4-fold in patients with chronic urticaria unresponsive to a standard-dosed 2nd generation H1-antihistamines as second line treatment before other treatments are considered.

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Should modern 2nd generation H1-antihistamines be taken regularly or as needed?
We suggest 2nd generation H1-antihistamines to be taken regularly for the treatment of patients with chronic urticaria.

­↑

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Should different 2nd generation H1-antihistamines be used at the same time?
We suggest against using different H1-antihistamines at the same time.

↓

Consensus***

Evidence and consensus-based

If there is no improvement, should higher than fourfold doses of 2nd generation H1-antihistamines be used?
We recommend against using higher than 4-fold standard dosed H1-antihistamines in chronic urticaria

 ↓ ↓

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Is omalizumab useful as add-on treatment in patients unresponsive to high doses of H1-antihistamines?
We recommend adding on omalizumab* for the treatment of patients with CU unresponsive to high dose 2nd generation H1-antihistamines.

*currently licensed for chronic spontaneous urticaria

­­↑ ↑

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Is ciclosporin useful as add-on treatment in patients unresponsive to high doses of H1-antihistamine?
We suggest using ciclosporin for the treatment of patients with CU unresponsive to high dose of 2nd generation H1-antihistamine and omalizumab.

­↑

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Should oral corticosteroids be used as add-on treatment in the treatment of urticaria?
We recommend against the long-term use of systemic glucocorticosteroids in CU.

↓ ↓

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based
We suggest considering a short course of rescue systemic glucocorticosteroids in patients with an acute exacerbation of CU.

­ ↑

Strong consensus*

Evidence and consensus-based

Are H2-antihistamines useful as add-on treatment in patients unresponsive to low or high doses of H1-antihistamines?
We cannot make a recommendation for or against the combined use of H1- and H2-antihistamines in patients with chronic urticaria.

0

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

Could any other treatment options be recommended for the treatment of urticaria?
We cannot make a recommendation with respect to further treatment options as standard therapies, but these may be considered in special cases, which also include those where financial or legal limitations for the recommended algorithm treatment exist.

0

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus
Should the same treatment algorithm be used in children?
We suggest using the same treatment algorithm with caution (e.g. weight adjusted dosage) in children with chronic urticaria

­ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus
Should the same treatment algorithm be used in pregnant women and during lactation?
We suggest using the same treatment algorithm with caution both in pregnant and lactating women after risk-benefit assessment. Drugs contraindicated or not suitable in pregnancy should not be used

­ ↑

Strong consensus*

Expert consensus

*≥90% agreement

**>75% agreement

***≥70% agreement

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Nov 22
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Predictive features associated with chronic spontaneous urticaria recurrence

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Elias Toubi, Zahava Vadasz

J Dermatol . 2021 Sep 14. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.16119. Online ahead of print.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria is an autoimmune condition for, at least, 50% of the cases, and sometimes it is associated with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid autoimmunity and systemic lupus erythematosus. They have an increased prevalence of autoreactive T-cell responses to FceRI and serum anti-thyroid antibodies. There are still a lot of unclear aspects to be determined, namely how long CSU will last. Most patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria are concerned about the probability of recurrence and wish for the existence of clinical or laboratory markers. The aim of this study was to understand the prevalence and characteristics of the recurrence of chronic spontaneous urticaria to prevent stressful comorbidities.

The study included 180 regular patients from the local registry. Chronic spontaneous urticaria lasted more than 5 years in 47 (26%) patients and was resolved during the first year in 23 (13%) patients. 21% of the patients reported recurrence of chronic spontaneous urticaria after a full remission between 1 and 10 years (mean 2.9 years).

In the search for predictive clinical or laboratory markers, the main differences found are registered in the table below.

Recurrent urticaria

 General urticaria

P value

Bronchial asthma

 10/25 (40%) 45/180 (25%)

p=0.049

Total immunoglobulin E

 10/25 (40%) 34/150 (23%)

p=0.04

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies

 11/25 (44%) 32/160 (20%)

p=0.003

In conclusion, the prevalence of chronic spontaneous urticaria after a full remission is significantly higher in patients with bronchial asthma, increased levels of total IgE and autoimmunity. More studies are needed to support these findings.

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Nov 22
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The effect of face mask usage on the allergic rhinitis symptoms in patients with pollen allergy during the covid-19 pandemic

By Artículos seleccionados, Selected articles

Mengi E, Kara CO, Alptürk U, Topuz B

Am J Otolaryngol . 2021 Sep 10;43(1):103206. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103206. Online ahead of print.

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa mediated by IgE. It is characterized by nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, and sneezing. Allergic rhinitis prevalence has been increasing worldwide and it is believed that it affects up to 40% of the population. The objective of this study was to assess the use of face masks on allergic rhinitis symptomatology in people allergic to pollen and who were using face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 50 participants answered over the telephone a 15-item questionnaire which was developed by a team of allergic rhinitis experts. Participants were selected from those who had had allergy tests between 2013 and 2019.

The mean age of the participants was 34.34±9.41 years old and 60% were female. The number of participants who defined their nasal symptoms as severe-moderate in the pre-pandemic was higher (46 participants) than the number of participants with severe-moderate symptoms during the pandemic (28 participants). Patients who used mask had a statistically significant decrease in nasal and ocular symptoms (p<0,001), in sneezing (p=0,029) and nasal discharge (p=0,039).

In conclusion, the use of face mask reduced allergic rhinitis symptoms in people with pollen allergy, which supports the use of face masks for people with allergic rhinitis.

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