Chronic idiopathic urticaria: Comparison of clinical features with positive autologous serum skin test

Mamatha George, C. Balachandran, Smitha Prabhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), in its extremely severe form, can pose a therapeutic challenge to the treating physician. It has been noted that in one third of such patients, autoantibodies against the IgE receptor are seen and such patients have more severe and unremitting urticaria. Aim: To compare clinical features of autoimmune urticaria with those of other CIU patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective study in an attempt to correlate the clinical features with autoantibodies, indirectly detected via the autologous serum skin test (ASST), which is the simplest and the best in vivo clinical test for detection of basophil histamine-releasing activity. Discussion: Out of 100 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, 34 showed a positive reaction to the autologous serum skin test and it was found that the frequency and severity of attacks was higher in these patients. Conclusion: ASST may be used as a simple and cost-effective test for the classification of chronic urticaria, which has proven to be a therapeutic challenge to the treating physician.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-108
Number of pages4
JournalIndian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
Volume74
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 01-03-2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

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