Azathioprine as a therapeutic alternative for refractory chronic urticaria. (29th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tal, Yuval; Toker, Ori; Agmon‐Levin, Nancy; Shalit, Meir
• Is Part Of: International journal of dermatology. Volume 54:Number 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2014-07-29
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12536
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-9059

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ijd12536-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ijd12536-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Chronic urticaria (CU) affects up to 1% of the general population. Its impact on quality of life is immense, and patients might require multiple drugs to control symptoms. The main therapeutic challenge in the treatment of CU is to maintain symptomatic control while minimizing the use of glucocorticosteroids and their plethora of side effects.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd12536-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Two patients with severe, refractory CU after treatment failure with various drugs, including high‐dose cyclosporine, were administered azathioprine.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd12536-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In both patients, the treatment with azathioprine resulted in a significant clinical improvement, enabling steroid withdrawal.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd12536-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Azathioprine should be considered as a therapeutic option for chronic, steroid‐dependent urticaria, refractory to other treatments.</p> </sec> </abstract>