Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America

Abstract Background Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as the spontaneous appearance of wheals, with or without angioedema, persisting for ≥6 weeks. Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a type of CU which affects 0.5–1 % of the global population, but it represents a high burden to patients. In rece...

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Main Authors: Paul Wilches, Paola Wilches, Juan Carlos Calderon, Annia Cherrez, Ivan Cherrez Ojeda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2016-11-01
Series:World Allergy Organization Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40413-016-0127-y
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author Paul Wilches
Paola Wilches
Juan Carlos Calderon
Annia Cherrez
Ivan Cherrez Ojeda
author_facet Paul Wilches
Paola Wilches
Juan Carlos Calderon
Annia Cherrez
Ivan Cherrez Ojeda
author_sort Paul Wilches
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as the spontaneous appearance of wheals, with or without angioedema, persisting for ≥6 weeks. Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a type of CU which affects 0.5–1 % of the global population, but it represents a high burden to patients. In recent years, omalizumab is available as treatment of disease. Our aim is to extend previous findings, analyzing effects of omalizumab on symptoms in Latin American patients with CSU. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients treated with omalizumab in Cuenca-Ecuador. 150 mg omalizumab was administered every 4 weeks, and its effects were measured by Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) at baseline and each month in follow up. Complete response was defined as a UAS of 0 or 1, and partial response was classified as a UAS of 2 or more. Also, demographic and clinical variables were collected. Descriptive analyses were employed. Response rates were summarized as counts and percentages after 3 and 5 months. Related Samples Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare UAS at baseline and after 3 months. P values <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results 26 subjects were enrolled, almost half were female individuals (57.7 %), with mean age 47.8 years (range, 18–81 years). Mean duration of CU after diagnosis was 23.3 months (range, 2–180 months). Mean UAS at baseline was 5.7 points (range, 4–6 points). Nine patients (34.6 %) completed 3 months of treatment (33 % reported a complete response), with a mean difference in UAS of 3.33 (p = 0.01). Four patients completed 5 months of treatment (75.0 % showed a complete response). All patients previously treated with first-generation antihistamines plus corticosteroids showed no responses at neither 3 nor 5 months of treatment. Conclusion Omalizumab is an effective treatment for patients with CU. It is necessary to conduct some future investigations where we can establish if 150 mg could be an option in developing countries.
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spelling doaj.art-e8dbd42333aa4645b072e526f6aee3732022-12-22T02:40:25ZengElsevierWorld Allergy Organization Journal1939-45512016-11-01911510.1186/s40413-016-0127-yOmalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin AmericaPaul Wilches0Paola Wilches1Juan Carlos Calderon2Annia Cherrez3Ivan Cherrez Ojeda4Allergy Department, Hospital Monte SinaiAllergy Department, Hospital Monte SinaiUniversidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, School of MedicineRespiralab Research GroupUniversidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, School of MedicineAbstract Background Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as the spontaneous appearance of wheals, with or without angioedema, persisting for ≥6 weeks. Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a type of CU which affects 0.5–1 % of the global population, but it represents a high burden to patients. In recent years, omalizumab is available as treatment of disease. Our aim is to extend previous findings, analyzing effects of omalizumab on symptoms in Latin American patients with CSU. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients treated with omalizumab in Cuenca-Ecuador. 150 mg omalizumab was administered every 4 weeks, and its effects were measured by Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) at baseline and each month in follow up. Complete response was defined as a UAS of 0 or 1, and partial response was classified as a UAS of 2 or more. Also, demographic and clinical variables were collected. Descriptive analyses were employed. Response rates were summarized as counts and percentages after 3 and 5 months. Related Samples Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare UAS at baseline and after 3 months. P values <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results 26 subjects were enrolled, almost half were female individuals (57.7 %), with mean age 47.8 years (range, 18–81 years). Mean duration of CU after diagnosis was 23.3 months (range, 2–180 months). Mean UAS at baseline was 5.7 points (range, 4–6 points). Nine patients (34.6 %) completed 3 months of treatment (33 % reported a complete response), with a mean difference in UAS of 3.33 (p = 0.01). Four patients completed 5 months of treatment (75.0 % showed a complete response). All patients previously treated with first-generation antihistamines plus corticosteroids showed no responses at neither 3 nor 5 months of treatment. Conclusion Omalizumab is an effective treatment for patients with CU. It is necessary to conduct some future investigations where we can establish if 150 mg could be an option in developing countries.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40413-016-0127-yOmalizumabChronic urticariaAnti-IgEReal life studyLatin America
spellingShingle Paul Wilches
Paola Wilches
Juan Carlos Calderon
Annia Cherrez
Ivan Cherrez Ojeda
Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America
World Allergy Organization Journal
Omalizumab
Chronic urticaria
Anti-IgE
Real life study
Latin America
title Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America
title_full Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America
title_fullStr Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America
title_full_unstemmed Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America
title_short Omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America
title_sort omalizumab for chronic urticaria in latin america
topic Omalizumab
Chronic urticaria
Anti-IgE
Real life study
Latin America
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40413-016-0127-y
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AT anniacherrez omalizumabforchronicurticariainlatinamerica
AT ivancherrezojeda omalizumabforchronicurticariainlatinamerica