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.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the patients who participated in this study and Benedikt Bilo and Caroline Mann for their help with the project management. This study benefitted from the network of Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCAREs; https://ga2len-ucare.com) of GA2LEN, the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network.
Disclosure statement
Petra Staubach: Has served as a consultant, in clinical studies and/or speaker to AbbVie, Almirall-Hermal, Amgen, Beiersdorf, Biocryst, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, CSL-Behring, Eli-Lilly, Galderma, Hexal, Janssen, Kalvista, LEO-Pharma, L’Oreal, Novartis, Octapharma, Pfizer, Pflüger, Regeneron, Shire, Takeda, Regeneron, Sanofi-Genzyme und UCB Pharma. She has no conflicts of interest related to the content of this article.
Benedikt Bilo: nothing to declare.
Caroline Mann: worked in clinical studies of Novartis and Sanofi, received travel supports/grants/invited speaker by Almirall, Novartis, L’Oreal, Pfizer and Sanofi.
Joachim Fluhr: Has served as a consultant and/or speaker to Bayer, B. Braun, Beiersdorf, Bioderma, Expanscience, Leo, Nestlé Skin Health, Neo Pharma, Pierre Fabre, Roche-Posay, Sebapharma, Unilever, Coloplast, Galderma, Mann & Schröder, Medicorum TAM, Courage& Khazaka, ECARF, Lilly, NAOS. He has no conflicts of interest related to the content of this article.
Kanokvalai Kulthanan: received grants/research supports from Novartis; and honoraria or consultation fees from Novartis, A. Menarini, Sandoz, Takeda, and Sanofi.
Karoline Krause: received grants/research support or served as consultant for Bayer, Beiersdorf, CSL Behring, Moxie, Novartis, Roche/CHUGAI, SOBI, Takeda. She has no conflicts of interest related to the content of this article.
Connie Katelaris: has received institutional funding as Principal investigator on clinical trials for CSL. Takeda; KVD; Biocryst. Honoraria for conference presentations for Takeda, CSL. Fees for advisory board participation for Takeda, CSL, KVD, Phavaris.
Jonathan Bernstein: nothing to declare.
Marcus Maurer is or recently was a speaker and/or advisor for and/or has received research funding from Allakos, Almirall, Alvotech, Amgen, Aquestive, Aralez, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Celldex, Celltrion, Evommune, GSK, Ipsen, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Leo Pharma, Lilly, Menarini, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Moxie, Noucor, Novartis, Orion, Pfizer, Resoncance Medicine, Sanofi/Regeneron, Septerna, Third Harmonic Bio, ValenzaBio, Yuhan Corporation, and Zurabio.