A Giménez-Arnau1, M Ferrer2, J Bartra3, I Jáuregui4, M Labrador-Horrillo5, J Ortiz de Frutos6, J F Silvestre7, J Sastre8, M Velasco9, A Valero10. 1. Dermatology Service, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Universitat Autonoma Barcelona [Autonomous University of Barcelona], Barcelona, Spain. 2. Allergology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra [University Clinic of Navarra], Pamplona, Spain. Electronic address: mferrerp@unav.edu. 3. Pneumology and Allergy Service, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) [August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute], Barcelona, Spain. 4. Allergology Service, Hospital Universitario Basurto [Basurto University Hospital], Bilbao, Spain. 5. Allergology Section, Medicine Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona [Autonomous University of Barcelona], Barcelona, Spain. 6. Dermatology Service, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre [University Hospital 12 of October], Madrid, Spain. 7. Dermatology Service, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante [University of Alicante General Hospital], Alicante, Spain. 8. Allergology Service, Fundación Jiménez Diaz [Jiménez Diaz Foundation], Madrid, Spain. 9. Dermatology Service, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain. 10. Pneumology and Allergy Service, Hospital Clinic (ICT), University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) [August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute], Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a frequent clinical entity that often presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. OBJECTIVE: To explore the degree of agreement that exists among the experts caring for patients with CSU diagnosis, evaluation, and management. METHODS: An online survey was conducted to explore the opinions of experts in CSU, address controversial issues, and provide recommendations regarding its definition, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. A modified Delphi method was used for the consensus. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 68 experts (dermatologists, allergologists, and primary care physicians). A consensus was reached on 54 of the 65 items posed (96.4%). The experts concluded that CSU is a difficult-to-control disease of unpredictable evolution. Diagnostic tests should be limited and based on clinical history and should not be indiscriminate. Autoinflammatory syndromes and urticarial vasculitis must be ruled out in the differential diagnosis. A cutaneous biopsy is only recommended when wheals last more than 24h, to rule out urticarial vasculitis. The use of specific scales to assess the severity of the disease and the quality of life is recommended. In patients with severe and resistant CSU, second-generation H1-antihistamines could be used at doses up to four times the standard dose before giving second-line treatments. Omalizumab is a safe and effective treatment for CSU that is refractory to H1-antihistamines treatment. In general, diagnosis and treatment recommendations given for adults could be extrapolated to children. CONCLUSIONS: This work offers consensus recommendations that may be useful in the management of CSU.
BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a frequent clinical entity that often presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. OBJECTIVE: To explore the degree of agreement that exists among the experts caring for patients with CSU diagnosis, evaluation, and management. METHODS: An online survey was conducted to explore the opinions of experts in CSU, address controversial issues, and provide recommendations regarding its definition, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. A modified Delphi method was used for the consensus. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 68 experts (dermatologists, allergologists, and primary care physicians). A consensus was reached on 54 of the 65 items posed (96.4%). The experts concluded that CSU is a difficult-to-control disease of unpredictable evolution. Diagnostic tests should be limited and based on clinical history and should not be indiscriminate. Autoinflammatory syndromes and urticarial vasculitis must be ruled out in the differential diagnosis. A cutaneous biopsy is only recommended when wheals last more than 24h, to rule out urticarial vasculitis. The use of specific scales to assess the severity of the disease and the quality of life is recommended. In patients with severe and resistant CSU, second-generation H1-antihistamines could be used at doses up to four times the standard dose before giving second-line treatments. Omalizumab is a safe and effective treatment for CSU that is refractory to H1-antihistamines treatment. In general, diagnosis and treatment recommendations given for adults could be extrapolated to children. CONCLUSIONS: This work offers consensus recommendations that may be useful in the management of CSU.
Authors: Joaquín Sastre; Esther Serra Baldrich; José Carlos Armario Hita; L Herráez; Ignacio Jáuregui; Ana Martín-Santiago; Javier Ortiz de Frutos; Juan Francisco Silvestre; Antonio Valero Journal: Dermatol Res Pract Date: 2020-04-07
Authors: Hermenio Lima; Melinda Gooderham; Jan Dutz; Charles Lynde; Hugo Chapdelaine; Anne Ellis; Martin Gilbert; Vincent Ho; Kim Papp; Yves Poulin; Gordon Sussman Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2017-08-24 Impact factor: 3.406