C-reactive protein (CRP) rs3093059Cpredicts poor mizolastine response in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients with elevated serum CRP level

Predictors of treatment response in chronic spontaneous urticaria

The current therapeutic algorithm for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), endorsed by the international guideline, entails treatment escalation from second-generation H₁ -antihistamines (sgAHs) to omalizumab and cyclosporine until complete response is achieved. Recently, several predictors of response to these treatment options have been described. Here, we discuss the most promising predictors of response and nonresponse to these treatments in CSU. A systematic search was performed by two independent researchers using the MEDLINE/PubMed database with specific keywords and 73 studies included in the review. Levels of evidence were categorized as strong (robust predictors), weak (emerging predictors) or no association, based on the outcome and number of studies available. High disease activity, high levels of C-reactive protein and D-dimer are robust predictors for a poor or no response to sgAHs. Poor or no response to omalizumab is robustly predicted by low serum levels of total IgE. A good response to cyclosporine is robustly predicted by a positive basophil histamine release assay, whereas low total IgE is an emerging predictor. The response to treatment with sgAHs, omalizumab and cyclosporine can be predicted by the use of markers that are readily available in routine clinical practice. Further studies are needed to confirm these predictors.

Chronic Urticaria: Advances in Understanding of the Disease and Clinical Management

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin condition characterized by the recurrence of wheals, with or without angioedema, which lasts for at least 6 weeks. Owing to its pruritus and incurability, this disease adversely affects the patients' physical and mental health and diminishes the quality of life. CU is generally classified into two subtypes based on the relevance of eliciting factors: chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), the latter of which is further divided into several subtypes. To improve the understanding and clinical management of this highly heterogeneous disorder, the EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline was developed and published in 2018 based on evidence and expert consensus. The diagnostic and treatment algorithms proposed by the guideline have largely facilitated dermatologists in clinical practice. However, several questions remained unsolved and have been widely investigated in the recent years. First, a better understanding of the association between chronic urticaria and its potential underlying causes or eliciting factors such as autoimmunity, infections, coagulation aberrance, and vitamin D deficiency is warranted. This would lead to updates in the diagnostic and treatment procedures of different subtypes of chronic urticaria. Secondly, treatment for recalcitrant cases, especially those resistant to or intolerant of second-generation antihistamines and (or) omalizumab, calls for novel therapeutic measures or strategies. In the present review, we summarized recent advances in the understanding and management of both CSU and CIndU, with special emphasis on their underlying causes or eliciting factors, pathogenic mechanisms, potential targets for intervention, and advances in treatment strategies.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Health Utility Estimates in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common recurrent skin disease that adversely affect patient's quality of life condition to treat. Economic evaluations of health care often include patient preferences for health outcomes using utilities.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine pooled estimates of utility-based quality of life in patients with CSU.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of peer-reviewed articles and conference papers that published from database inception to 31 April 2019 that reported utility estimates in patients with CSU. Scores reported with the EQ-5D, SF-6D, SF-12, and SF-36 instruments were converted to utilities using published mapping algorithms. Meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled and meta-regression was used to examine the effects of possible factors.

Results: The pooled utility estimate for CSU was 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–0.70]. The pooled utility estimate that converted from SF-36 or SF-12 was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.58–0.74), 0.72 (95% CI: 0.70–0.74) for EQ-5D, and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.63–0.67) for SF-6D, respectively. According to the meta-regression, higher proportion of female patients was significantly associated lower utility estimates (p = 0.013).

Conclusions: The study provides evidence-based utility estimates to inform health-related burden analysis of CSU and reference for the follow-up cost-effectiveness evaluation of chronic spontaneous urticaria intervention. These results highlight differences in common utility-based instruments and need to be cognizant of the specific instruments used when comparing the results of outcome studies.