Abstract
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Urticaria is a transient eruption of erythematous or oedematous swellings of the skin associated with itching. Chronic urticaria is continuous disease lasting for 6 weeks or more. The pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria is not entirely clear. At least one-third of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, have circulating functional autoantibodies against the high-affinity Ig E receptor (Fc?RI). In clinical practice, a positive Autologous Serum Skin Test(ASST) is used as a method to determine the existence of auto-antibodies to Fc?RI and is assumed to express the presence of an autoimmune pathogenesis of urticaria.
Aims: -
• To estimate the percentage of autoimmune cases amongst the chronic
idiopathic urticaria patients by using ASST.
• To study the clinical characteristics of chronic urticaria.
Materials and Methods: The study included 100 patients with active wheals who meet the eligibility criteria & after explaining the purpose of the study in the Outpatient Department of D.V.L. Serum was separated by centrifugation (2000 rpm for 10-15 min).0.05 mL of serum was injected intradermally into the volar aspect of forearm, avoiding the areas of whealing within the past 24 h. Equal amounts of normal saline [negative control] and histamine (10 μg/mL) was injected on the same arm 3-5 cm below.Wheal and flare responses was measured after 30
min.
Results: Total of 100 patients were included, 35 males and 65females. All were aged between 10 – 70years, majority (35%) belonged to31-40 years of age. ASST was positive in 35(35%) patients. Maximum number of patients presented with Urticaria Activity score of 5. Angioedema was present in 37(37%)patients. Hypothyroidism was seen in 7(7%) individuals.
Conclusion: Autologous serum skin test can be considered as a screening test for autoimmune urticaria. It
helps in the identification of a subgroup of patients who are likely to have more severe
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