UCOMB-real life data: treatment strategies for chronic urticaria patients with comorbidities

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of real-life safety data on treatment options for chronic urticaria in the presence of comedication and comorbidities.

Methods: We present a single-center UCARE pilot study of 212 outpatients with chronic urticaria. Patients were divided into three groups according to different CU therapies according to international guidelines.

Results: Of 212 patients, 108 (mean age 48.9 years, 71.3% female) had 59 comorbidities, including cardiovascular, autoimmune and malignant diseases. Patients were followed for a mean of 24.6 months (SD ± 21.3). Urticaria therapies were divided into three groups: A: 105 (97.2%) with omalizumab and 2nd generation antihistamines), B: 16 patients (14.8%): dual therapy with antihistamines and cyclosporine in 10 (9.3%), montelukast in five (4. 6%), dapsone in four (3.7%), hydroxychloroquine in one patient (0.9%), C: 12 (11.1%) patients received a third drug for 4.9 months (SD ± 3.2) and one quadruple therapy (2.1 months). 10 out of 12 (83.3%) patients received montelukast, two (16.7%) cyclosporine, two (16.7%) dapsone and one (8.3%) hydroxychloroquine as a third drug for chronic urticaria.

Conclusions: Combining treatment modalities for chronic urticaria and comorbidities are available and feasible with a good safety profile.

Keywords: Chronic spontaneous urticaria; angioedema; comedication; comorbidity; real-life; systemic therapy; wheals.