Abstract
Background: Treatment of chronic urticaria can be difficult at times. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral mini-pulse (OMP) therapy with methylprednisolone in management of severe chronic urticaria (CU). Methods and material: 100 patients with severe chronic urticaria, not controlled with maximum dose of a second generation antihistamine, were enrolled in the study after an informed written consent. All patients were treated with methylprednisolone 16 mg tablet on two consecutive days of a week for 2 months along with levocetirizine 5 mg tablet once daily. All patients were reviewed at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks with urticaria activity score (UAS). Results: The study comprised of 100 patients (33 males and 67 females) with severe chronic urticaria. 29 patients (29%) had raised TSH levels while Autologous Serum Skin Test was positive in 37 patients. Mean UAS in patients treated with OMP was 5.76 at baseline which reduced to 0.6 at the end of treatment period. Conclusion: Mean UAS showed a significant decline following OMP therapy with methylprednisolone. Most of the patients maintained the benefits of therapy at the end of follow up period of 4 months.
Highlights
Urticaria is a fairly common condition characterized by transient swellings of the skin
The present study comprised of 100 patients (33 males and 67 females) with severe chronic urticaria
Duration of urticaria in these patients ranged from 2 months to 120 months, with a mean duration of 19.14 ± 26.03 months, which was not controlled with maximum dose of a non-sedating second generation antihistamine
Summary
Urticaria is a fairly common condition characterized by transient swellings of the skin This could be an extremely disabling and difficult-to-treat condition. Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as urticaria persisting daily or almost daily for more than six weeks. It causes severe impairment on the quality of life [1]. The autoimmune subgroup is associated with the IgG anti-IgE receptor alpha subunit in 35-40% of the patients, and IgG anti-IgE in an additional 5-10%. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral mini-pulse (OMP) therapy with methylprednisolone in management of severe chronic urticaria (CU). Mean UAS in patients treated with OMP was 5.76 at baseline which reduced to 0.6 at the end of treatment period. Most of the patients maintained the benefits of therapy at the end of follow up period of 4 months
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
