Autoimmune Diseases Are Linked to Type IIb Autoimmune Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Pavel Kolkhir, Sabine Altrichter, Riccardo Asero, Álvaro Daschner, Marta Ferrer, Ana M. Giménez‐Arnau, Tomasz Hawro, Thilo Jakob, Tamar Kinaciyan, Arno Kromminga, George Ν. Konstantinou, Μichael Μakris, Martin Metz, Per Stahl Skov, Petra Staubach, Gordon Sussman, Ke Zhang, Marcus Maurer
Abstract
PURPOSE: Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have an increased risk for comorbid autoimmune diseases. In this retrospective multicenter study of CSU patients, we evaluated clinical and laboratory features of CSU associated with a higher risk of comorbid autoimmune diseases. METHODS: We analyzed records of CSU patients (n = 1,199) for a history or presence of autoimmune diseases. Patients were diagnosed with type IIb autoimmune CSU (aiCSU) if all 3 tests were positive: autologous serum skin test (ASST), basophil histamine release assay (BHRA) and/or basophil activation test (BAT), and IgG autoantibodies against FcεRIα/IgE detected by immunoassay. RESULTS: = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In CSU, autoimmune diseases are common and linked to type IIb autoimmune CSU. Our results suggest that physicians assess and monitor all adult patients with CSU for signs and symptoms of common autoimmune diseases, especially HT and vitiligo.