Volume : 5, Issue : 10, October - 2016

A prospective analysis on relationship between serum IgE levels and severity of chronic urticaria

Kamini Cr, Prasad Pvs, Kaviarasan Pk, Kannambal K

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;Background:Urticaria is a distressing dermatosis characterized by transient wheals. About 40% of urticaria patients show autoantibodies to immunoglobulin E (IgE) and high-affinity IgE receptors (Fc&epsilon;RI) on mast cells. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between serum IgE levels and severity of chronic urticaria. Method: A total of 50 patients with chronic urticaria and 50 normal controls were enrolled and urticarial total severity score was assessed. Serum total IgE levels were measured. Result: 33/50 chronic urticaria (CU) patients and 3/50 controls had elevated serum IgE levels above 100 U/ml. Serum IgE levels were signi&ouml;cantly (P&lt;0.001) higher in moderate to severe grades of chronic urticaria (mean 287.4 IU/ml) than mild urticaria (mean 182.2 IU/ml) and controls (mean 54.3 IU/ml). A signi&ouml;cant association between elevated serum IgE and chronic urticaria severity was found. Conclusion: Severe urticaria patients showed a higher serum IgE expression than those with mild urticaria.</p>