Potential Clinical and Serological Predictors of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Relapse in Patients Under Omalizumab Treatment
Teresa Grieco, Laura Dies, Alvise Sernicola, Camilla Chello, Nazareno Gagliostro, Giorgia Carnicelli, Giovanni Paolino
Abstract
Background: Omalizumab is not considered a disease-modifying drug and, accordingly, a large proportion of patients experience a relapse following withdrawal from treatment. Patients & methods: A total of 42 patients who underwent at least one cycle of treatment with omalizumab were enrolled. Two groups of relapsed and not-relapsed subjects were compared. Then, patients were divided into subgroups. Results: Female patients relapse more frequently than male subjects. Patients who relapsed complained a long duration of disease, while patients who did not relapse had short a history of disease. Very early responders are thought to have a high recurrence rate. Basal IgE levels were increased in early responders and cholesterol levels were high in very early responders, who relapse following withdrawal from omalizumab. High D-dimer levels were observed in late responders. Conclusion: The identification of clinical and serological predictors will play a pivotal role in the future management of patients treated with omalizumab.