A study on validity of autologous serum skin test in chronic idiopathic urticaria

Abstract

Background and Aim: Chronic urticaria is a common distressing dermatosis characterized by spontaneous occurrence of wheals lasting for less than 24 hours, with or without angioedema occurring daily or almost daily for more than 6 weeks. The main aim of the present study is to investigate the positivity of ASST and clinical and severity in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Methodology: A total number of 100 cases of chronic idiopathic urticaria reporting to the Dermatology Venereology Leprology Department, Kamineni institute of medical sciences were studied. Results: 46 of them were females and 54 were males. Maximum cases were in the age group of 21-30 years (33%), followed by age group 31- 40 years (26%). The age of the youngest patient was 14 years and that of the oldest was 65 years. Autoantibodies, detected by ASST, were seen in the sera of 43% patients with CIU, comparable to available reports in literature. Presence of autoantibodies was unrelated to gender and the mean age of onset of the disease was earlier in ASST positive patients. Presence of these autoantibodies was significantly associated with more duration of disease, more duration of wheal, frequent attacks of disease and UAS > 5. Angioedema and Abnormal Thyroid profile were significant in ASST positive patients. Dermographism occurred more frequently in ASST Negative patients. There was difference in presentation of clinical symptoms between ASST positive and negative patients but these were not statistically significant. There was difference in CBP, AEC, ESR, RBS Sr IgE Levels and ANA between positive and negative ASST patients, but these results were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Thus, ASST identifies a sub group of patients with CIU with more severe disease, who are likely to be more symptomatic and would require more aggressive treatment.