Prevalence and relevance of the positivity of skin prick testing in patients with chronic urticaria

Many patients with chronic urticaria (CU) worry that foods or other allergens are responsible for their urticaria. Skin prick testing (SPT) may be one of the investigations used to provide a clear illustration. The purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence of positivity of SPT to food allergens and aeroallergens and their relevance in patients with CU, in order to demonstrate the diagnostic value of SPT in CU. We retrospectively reviewed case record forms of patients with chronic ordinary urticaria who underwent SPT in the Urticaria Clinic, Siriraj Hospital, during the period 2000-2004. The studied allergens included 16 food allergens and 12 aeroallergens. Eighty-eight patients were enrolled. The prevalence of positive SPT among patients with CU was 47.7%. Patients who had personal histories of atopy had statistically significant positive SPT results compared with patients who had negative SPT. Of 88 patients, 26 patients (30%) gave positive results to food allergens, 36 patients (41%) gave positive results to aeroallergens and 20 patients (22.7%) gave positive results to both food and aeroallergens. One-third of the subjects (34.6%) who had positive SPT results to food allergens had clinical relevance of food allergy in some systems but only one patient had clinical relevance of food-induced urticaria. Half of the patients who had a history of aeroallergen sensitivity gave a positive SPT response for aeroallergens; however, there was no clinical relevance to their CU. Our study showed that the prevalence of positive SPT to food allergens and aeroallergens in patients with CU was common but had little clinical relevance to CU.     

Solar urticaria in Singapore: an uncommon photodermatosis seen in a tertiary dermatology center over a 10-year period

BACKGROUND: Solar urticaria is an uncommon photodermatosis, characterized by the appearance of pruritic wheals after sun exposure. In this study, we examine the photobiological characteristics of solar urticaria in the heterogeneous group of Singaporean patients. METHODS: The photobiological features of all patients treated for solar urticaria at a tertiary dermatology center in Singapore over a 10-year period were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were diagnosed to have solar urticaria from 1993 to 2002. The mean age at diagnosis was 26 years, with a racial distribution of 17 (90%) Chinese, one (5%) Malay, and one (5%) Indian. Fifteen (79%) patients were males and four (21%) were females. The face/neck (47%) and arms/forearms (58%) were most often affected. Six (32%) patients had a history of atopy and two (11%) had dermographism. Fifteen (79%) patients had Fitzpatrick's skin type IV, three (16%) had skin type III and one (5%) patient had skin type V. The mean exposure time to wheal formation was 23 min. The action spectra of solar urticaria were visible light for 12 (63%) patients, ultraviolet (UV) A for one (5%), visible light and UVA for five (27%), and natural sunlight for one (5%) patient. All patients reported partial improvement with a combination of antihistamines and sunscreens as the main modality of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that solar urticaria is an uncommon photodermatosis and a rare form of urticaria. Wheals were mostly elicited by visible light and/or UVA. A combination of antihistamines and sunscreens provided a useful form of therapy for patients with solar urticaria.     

Vulvodynia and facticious urticaria

BACKGROUND: The term vulvodynia describes a multifactorial syndrome of chronic vulvar discomfort with burning, itching, pain, and dyspareunia. Due to the paucity of clinical signs, this syndrome is often perceived as a predominantly psychiatric problem. A context of symptomatic dermographism has been reported in rare instances. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our interdisciplinary consultation of vulvar dermatology, we routinely look for the presence of facticious urticaria. In the last 17 months, we observed 14 patients with an association of facticious urticaria and vulvodynia. RESULTS: The principal symptoms were itching and burning. Sexual intercourse, tight clothes, and stress were most often cited as aggravating factors. The efficacy of a systemic antihistaminic treatment observed in our patients suggests that certain cases of vulvodynia might be an expression of symptomatic dermographism. DISCUSSION: Therefore, a check-up for chronic vulvar discomfort should comprise a test for the presence of facticious whealing. The prevalence of a causal relationship between chronic vulvar discomfort and facticious whealing remains to be established.     

Chronic urticaria is associated with a differential helminth-arthropod-related atopy phenotype

The relationship between atopic sensitization and chronic urticaria is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare the prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization in chronic urticaria patients with (CU/As+) and without (CU/As-) sensitization against Anisakis simplex. Forty-nine CU/As+ and 80 CU/As- patients were studied and skin prick tests (SPT) were performed against aeroallergens. We assessed sensitization in a subgroup of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or bronchial asthma (RCBA) and compared the prevalence with a control group of 522 non-urticaria patients with RCBA. Forty-five percent of CU/As- and 60.4% of CU/As+ patients displayed positive SPT to at least one aeroallergen. CU/As+ patients had a higher prevalence of sensitization against pollen, mould or dander (PMD) (52.2% vs 29.1%, P < 0.01), whereas the prevalence of house dust mite (HDM) sensitization was not statistically different (26.3% in CU/As- and 36.7% in CU/As+). However, in chronic urticaria patients with RCBA, 53.8% of CU/As- and 57.9% of CU/As+ patients differed in the prevalence of HDM sensitization compared to the control group (33.5%, P = 0.03), whereas no difference could be stated for PMD sensitization. Compared to RCBA patients, both CU/As+ and CU/As- patients have a higher clinically relevant sensitization rate against HDM, thus displaying a differential atopy phenotype.     

伴有器官特异性自身抗体的荨麻疹170例临床分析

目的了解自身免疫性荨麻疹的临床及免疫学特征。方法回顾性分析170例血清中具有器官特异性自身抗体的慢性荨麻疹患者的临床资料。结果女性130例(76.47%),男性40例(23.53%);平均年龄35.79±8.49岁;皮损位于躯干部者152例,皮损持续时间大于12h者101例,伴重度瘙痒者132例,其中64例伴发关节痛、胃肠道或呼吸道症状;所有患者血清中均检测出器官特异性自身抗体,其中抗甲状腺相关自身抗体109例,抗幽门螺杆菌抗体85例;9例患者合并结缔组织病,1例患者合并白癜风,45例患者合并桥本甲状腺炎或甲亢;患者中ASST阳性者110例(64.70%),ASST阴性者60例(35.30%)。结论自身免疫性荨麻疹的皮损特点与普通慢性荨麻疹无明显差异,但症状更重,皮损持续时间较长,瘙痒剧烈,好发于躯干部,颜色多为鲜红色,容易伴发其它自身免疫性疾病。     

Paroxystic vasomotor skin manifestations (author's transl)]

Paroxystic vasomotor skin manifestations are provoked by various etiologies. Widespread or generalized vasomotor skin manifestations may be induced by a physiological reaction (emotinal flushing), by a drug (vasodilator drugs, antabuse, antidiabetic, sulfonamides), by a discharge of histamine (urticaria, mastocytosis) or by an hypersecretion of serotonin (dumping-syndrome, carcinoid syndrome). They may be caused by an endocrinopathy (menopause, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycaemia, medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, endocrine pancreas, carcinoma). More rarely vasomotor troubles happen in homocystinuria, inhalation of a toxic (trichlorethylen, calcic cyanamid) and exceptionally in some immunohaematologic diseases. Main localized vasomotor skin manifestations observed are dermographism, facial flushing (Sluder's syndrome, cluster headaches, Frey's syndrome, Riley-Day's syndrome) and acral syndromes (Raynaud's phenomenon, erythromelalgia).     

Chronic idiopathic urticaria: prevalence and clinical course

The purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence and clinical course of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), as well as possible causes or associated findings, laboratory findings and the duration of the disease in patients with chronic urticaria (CU). We retrospectively reviewed the 450 case record forms of patients with CU and/or angioedema who attended the Department of Dermatology, Siriraj Hospital, during the period 2000-2004. Of 450 patients with CU, 337 patients (75%) were diagnosed as CIU. Forty-three patients (9.5%) had physical urticaria, while 17 patients (3.8%) had infectious causes. Other possible causes were food, thyroid diseases, atopy, drugs, dyspepsia and collagen vascular diseases. In eighty-nine percent of patients, no abnormalities were detected at the time of physical examination. The most common abnormal laboratory finding was minimal elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentary rate (42%). In 61 patients, autologous serum skin tests had been done. Fifteen patients (24.5%) had positive results i.e. autoimmune urticaria. Anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies were positive in 16 % and 12% of CIU patients respectively. After 1 year from the onset of the symptoms, 34.5% of CIU patients were free of symptoms and after 1.2 years from the onset of the symptoms, 56.5% of autoimmune urticaria patients were free of symptoms. The median disease duration of CIU and autoimmune urticaria were 390 days and 450 days respectively. Our study provided an overview of CU and CIU in a large series of Thai patients, based on etiological aspects and clinical courses.     

慢性荨麻疹患者变应原检测及自体血清试验临床分析

目的:探讨慢性荨麻疹患者变应原检测和自体血清皮肤试验的临床意义。方法:皮肤点刺试验(SPT)检测30种变应原皮试液(包括吸入性和食物性),以生理盐水作阴性对照,以组胺作阳性对照,注射于前臂屈侧,20-30分钟后观察结果。自体血清试验(ASST)以自体血清注射于一侧前臂,另一侧注射生理盐水作阴性对照,30分钟后观察结果。结果:787例慢性荨麻疹患者中SPT有550例阳性(69.89%),6种以上变应原阳性332例(42.19%),吸入组阳性516例(65.57%)明显高于食物组309例(39.26%);ASST阳性为244例(31.00%),SPT阴性组ASST阳性率明显高于SPT阳性组。结论:SPT可以帮助我们寻找引起慢性荨麻疹的相关变应原。ASST阳性表明患者血清中存在自身抗体,可以作为自身免疫性荨麻疹的筛选试验。     

皮肤点刺试验检测慢性荨麻疹变应原的临床意义

目的探讨皮肤点刺试验检测慢性荨麻疹变应原的临床意义。方法用20种不同的变应原进行皮肤点刺试验,生理盐水为阴性对照,组胺为阳性对照。结果292例慢性荨麻疹患者中,有210例为阳性反应,阳性率为71.92%,单个变应原中,以吸入性粉尘螨的阳性率为最高,达63.69%。结论皮肤点刺试验特异性高,为慢性荨麻疹患者寻找可能的变应原提供依据,并力求避免接触,以提高患者的生活质量。     

咪唑斯汀治疗原发性获得性寒冷性荨麻疹临床疗效观察

目的：评价咪唑斯汀治疗原发性获得性寒冷性荨麻疹的疗效与安全性。方法：采用多中心、随机双盲、安慰剂平行对照的方法，将入选患者随机分为试验组和对照组，分别接受咪唑斯汀和安慰剂治疗，观察患者对冷刺激试验的风团反应和瘙痒程度，以及临床反应。结果：试验组患者冷刺激试验的风团反应、冷刺激试验复温20min时的瘙痒程度、遇冷空气或冷水后出现风团或瘙痒的程度与安慰剂组相比有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。结论：咪唑斯汀治疗原发性获得性寒冷性荨麻疹安全、有效。     

慢性自发性荨麻疹患者血清中IL-31水平与瘙痒程度的相关性

目的:明确慢性自发性荨麻疹患者血清中IL-31水平与瘙痒程度的相关性。方法:采用ELISA法检测61例慢性自发性荨麻疹患者和59名健康体检者血清IL-31的含量,视觉模拟量表评价患者瘙痒程度。结果:荨麻疹患者血清IL-31水平为28.63±15.38 pg/mL高于对照组的1.74±0.30pg/mL,两组相比差异具有统计学意义(P0.001)。慢性自发性荨麻疹患者轻度、中度及重度瘙痒组IL-31水平分别为17.82±14.77 pg/mL,34.28±10.39 pg/mL和37.68±15.18 pg/mL,各组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:慢性自发性荨麻疹患者瘙痒程度可能与血清IL-31的表达升高有关。     

Physical urticaria: prevalence,type and natural course in a tropical country

Background Physical urticarias (PU) are an urticarial response to different specific physical stimuli. PU can occur concurrently with chronic spontaneous urticaria or another type of PU. Objective We aimed to study the prevalence, type, clinical data and natural course of each type of PU and other inducible urticarias and also the prognostic factors for remission of patients visiting a tertiary referral hospital. Method We performed a retrospective study of 1200 chronic urticaria patients who visited our Urticaria Clinic during a period of 5 years. Results Of the 1200 chronic urticaria patients, 86 (7.2%) were diagnosed as PU and other inducible urticarias. The most common type of PU was symptomatic dermographism (n = 35, 40.7%) followed by cold urticaria (n = 20, 23.3%) and delayed pressure urticaria (n = 11, 12.8%), respectively. Twelve patients (13.9%) had associated chronic spontaneous urticaria. None of the cases had multiple types of PU. Erythrocyte sedimentary rate elevation was the most common abnormal laboratory result. Nevertheless, only 4.6% declared a related infection. For each type, the median time after onset before 50% remission showed that cholinergic urticaria took the shortest course (34 months) and delayed pressure urticaria took the longest period (110 months). After 1 year and 5 years from the onset of symptoms, 13% and 50% of PU patients were free of symptoms, respectively. Conclusion This study emphasized the variety of PU, other inducible urticarias and natural courses based on tertiary hospital care. PU and other inducible urticarias have tendency to have a longer course than chronic spontaneous urticaria.     

慢性荨麻疹患者自体血清皮肤试验结果分析

目的 :探讨慢性荨麻疹患者自体血清皮肤试验的意义。方法 :对 4 0例慢性荨麻疹患者以及2 0例正常对照者、1 0例皮肤划痕症、1 0例异位性皮炎患者进行自体血清皮肤试验。结果 :4 0例慢性荨麻疹患者中 1 3例 (32 5 % )自体血清皮肤试验阳性 ,正常对照组和皮肤划痕症及异位性皮炎患者均为阴性 ,慢性荨麻疹患者的自体血清皮肤试验阳性率显著高于正常对照组及皮肤划痕症和异位性皮炎组 (P值均 <0 0 5 )。结论 :自体血清皮肤试验的测定对自身免疫性慢性荨麻疹有一定的诊断意义。     

Skin reactivity in workers with and without itching from occupational exposure to glass fibres.

98 workers at a glass-wool factory were divided into three comparable groups: those with persistent troublesome itching from the fibres, those without itching, and those who had become 'hardened' to the itching. The three groups were compared with respect to the results of patch testing with glass fibres and six chemical irritants, a rubbing test with fibres, the Trafuril test, and provocation of dermographism. Anamnestic data with respect to atopy, itching from wool and synthetic fibres, sweating, and reactions to the sun were evaluated, as also was the general skin pigmentation. No statistically significant differences between the three groups were found in respect of any of these tests or factors except for a subjectively increased sensitivity in the rubbing test with fibres for the itching group. It is possible that similar itch-provocation tests might be useful for pre-employment assessment to predict severe occupational itching from glass fibres.     

A 6-month follow-up study of 1048 patients diagnosed with an occupational skin disease

Background: Occupational skin diseases (OSDs) often have considerable medical and occupational consequences. Previous data on prognostic factors have been derived from studies with fairly small sample sizes.
Objectives: To determine the medical and occupational outcome in 1048 patients diagnosed with OSD at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and to identify the prognostic risk factors for the continuation of OSD.
Methods: Patients examined in 1994–2001 filled out a follow-up questionnaire 6 months after the diagnosis. Data on atopy, contact allergies, and occupation were analysed.
Results: Six months after the diagnosis the skin disease had healed in 27% of the patients. The OSD had cleared up in 17% of those with no changes at work, and in 34% of those who had changed their job/occupation. The best clearing had occurred in the patients with contact urticaria (35%), whereas the healing of allergic (27%) and irritant (23%) contact dermatitis was similar. The risk factors for continuing occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) were no changes in work, age > 45 years, food-related occupations, respiratory atopy, and male sex.
Conclusions: The healing of OSD was associated with discontinuation of the causative exposure. A change in work and the presence of easily avoidable work-related allergies were associated with a good prognosis.     

食物特异性IgG抗体与慢性自发性荨麻疹表型的相关性研究

目的探讨食物特异性IgG(sIgG)与慢性自发性荨麻疹(CSU)表型的相关性。方法连续收集2014年4月至2015年3月于中国医科大学附属第一医院等5家三级甲等医院皮肤科门诊就诊的活动期CSU、皮肤划痕症(SD)、急性荨麻疹(AU)患者和健康对照血清, 酶联免疫吸附法检测90种食物抗原sIgG抗体和总IgE抗体, 免疫印迹法检测20种变应原sIgE抗体, 化学微粒子发光法检测甲状腺过氧化物酶IgG抗体和甲状腺球蛋白IgG抗体。两组间和多组间正态分布计量数据的比较分别采用t检验和单因素方差分析, 两组间非正态分布计量数据的比较采用Mann-WhitneyU检验, 率的比较采用χ2检验和Fisher精确检验。结果纳入CSU患者248例, SD患者22例, AU患者15例, 健康对照13例。以sIgG ≥ 100 IU/ml(2+及以上)为阳性标准, CSU组、SD组和AU组的食物sIgG阳性率(176/248, 70.97%;15/22, 68.18%;11/15)略高于健康对照组(7/13), 但4组差异无统计学意义(χ2 = 1.80, P = 0.615)。248例CSU患者中, s...     

The extent and nature of disability in different urticarial conditions

Chronic forms of urticaria are common, often adversely impacting on quality of life. No formal studies have assessed the extent and nature of disability in different types of urticaria. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a simple and validated 10-item questionnaire designed to measure and compare disability in different skin conditions. In this study, we aimed to assess the disability in different urticarial groups using the DLQI, allowing comparison with previously published DLQI scores in common skin diseases. The DLQI was administered to 170 consecutive patients attending a specialist urticaria clinic over a 4-month period. Consistent with previous studies using the DLQI, mean scores were not influenced by gender or age. Patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria without a concurrent physical urticaria (n = 47) suffered moderate quality of life impairment (mean +/- SD DLQI 25 +/- 24%). In comparison, patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria with concurrent delayed pressure urticaria (DPU) (n = 26) suffered significantly higher quality of life impairment (mean +/- SD DLQI 43 +/- 23%, 95% confidence interval for difference 7-29%). Disability in this group was greatest in the dimensions of work/study, symptoms/feelings and leisure. Subjects with another form of physical urticaria, cholinergic urticaria, also endured high levels of disability (n = 9, mean +/- SD DLQI 50 +/- 34%). From our urticaria study group, we have shown that subjects with DPU and cholinergic urticaria endure the most quality of life impairment. The mean DLQI scores demonstrated in these groups are comparable with those previously seen in severe atopic dermatitis out-patients (60%) and higher than those seen in out-patients with psoriasis (29.7%), acne (24.3%) and vitiligo (16.1%).     

The effect of psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) on symptomatic dermographism

A controlled trial of 4-weeks oral photochemotherapy (PUVA) on 14 patients with severe symptomatic dermatographism produced a clinically useful reduction in itching in five patients. In four of these patients itching had relapsed to pre-treatment levels within 3 months of finishing the PUVA course. A comparison of the weal and flare responses on exposed and covered (control) skin using a calibrated dermographometer showed no significant change in skin reactivity, even in the patients who experienced symptomatic relief. While PUVA may temporarily reduce itching in some patients with symptomatic dermographism, its use cannot generally be justified for treating this type of physical urticaria.     

Combined pizotiphen and cinnarizine treatment in urticaria factitia

30 patients suffering from urticaria factitia were treated with pizotiphen and cinnarizin for 6 weeks. In 13 patients, the effect of treatment was controlled by means of the dermographism test. Placebo administration failed to affect the subjective and objective symptoms. During treatment with pizotiphen and cinnarizin, the flare significantly decreased within the first week and finally did not differ from that observed in healthy persons after 6 weeks of therapy. 19 out of 30 patients were totally free of symptoms. In 11 cases, treatment resulted in significant reduction of the urticaria, but only 7 patients still complained of itching. After repetition of the therapy, 5 patients were free of symptoms; 2 patients still reported on slight itching one year after treatment.     

Clinical features and natural history of acquired cold urticaria in a tertiary referral hospital: a 10‐year prospective study

Background Acquired cold urticaria (ACU) represents a heterogeneous group of disorders that share a common clinical feature: the development of urticaria or angioedema after cold exposure. We present epidemiological and clinical data of subjects with ACU, natural progression and we examine possible parameters that could correlate with disease severity. Methods During a 10‐year period in all subjects with ACU, detailed record of personal history, laboratory testing, cold stimulation testing (CST), atopy assessment and disease severity took place. In a re‐evaluation visit at the end of the surveillance period, ACU progression was assessed from patients in a subjective way. Results Four thousand one hundred fifty‐seven individuals with chronic urticaria were referred, and 352 (198 males, 154 females, 8.47% of patients with chronic urticaria) presented definite symptoms of physical urticarias, while 95 individuals (49 males, 46 females, 27% of patients with physical urticarias) were detected with ACU. Sixty‐two participants were included in study analysis. Thirty‐two patients (51.6%) were female; the mean age was 41.5 ± 15.6 years, while the mean age at disease onset was 32.5 ± 15.6 years; half were ≤ 30 years old at disease onset. The mean duration of surveillance was 9.0 ± 6.9 years. During this time interval, 18 patients (29.0%) showed the same or even worse symptomatology, 26 patients reported some improvement (41.9%), while in 18 patients, symptoms resolved completely (29.0%); the mean time to resolution was 5.6 ± 3.5 years. Disease severity was the only variable statistically significantly related to disease progression (P = 0.004). Conclusions Cold urticaria is a chronic persistent disorder with occasional severe clinical manifestations.