Veröffentlichungen

Background: Cholinergic urticaria (CholU) is a frequent chronic urticaria disorder with itchy weal and flare-type skin reactions in response to physical exercise or passive warming. A higher frequency of atopy among CholU patients hasbeen reported, but the significance of this observation is unclear.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and relevance of atopy in CholU patients. Materials and MethodsThirty CholU patients were assessed for atopic skin diathesis (a topic predisposition) by use of the Erlangen Atopy Score and divided into a topic and non-atopic predisposed CholU individuals. Both groups were assessed for disease severity (CholUSI) and activity (CholUAS7), quality of life impairment [Dermatology Life QualityIndex (DLQI) and CU-Q2OL], seasonal exacerbation, total and specific serum IgE and comorbidities.

Results: CholU patients were found to exhibit high rates of atopic predisposition (57%), with higher prevalence and scores in female than in male patients. High Erlangen Atopy Scores were linked to high CholU severity, activity and impact on QoL. A topic predisposed CholU patients show different seasonal exacerbation patterns, IgE specificity and comorbidity profiles as compared to non-atopic CholU patients.

Conclusion: Atopic predisposition and cholinergic urticaria appear to be linked more closely than previously thought, which suggests shared pathogenetic mechanisms. A topic patients with cholinergic urticaria have more severe disease and poorer quality of life than those who do not. Thus, all cholinergic urticaria patients should be assessed for a topic predisposition.