Profiles illustrating potential clinical presentations of patients with CSU.
The below profiles are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only.
About
- Age 62
- Retired policeman
History
- Spontaneous itchy hives for over 14 years
- >60 erythematous lesions with central swelling on torso, arms, face and neck
- Angioedema of lips and 3 episodes of tongue swelling
- No identified triggers
- Inadequate response to high-dose H1-antihistamines*
- Several courses of oral corticosteroids*
Clinical characteristics
- Full blood count and CRP normal, ASST negative
- UAS7 = 30 and DLQI = 22
- Diagnosis: chronic spontaneous urticaria with angioedema
About
- Age 35
- Primary school teacher and single mother
History
- Spontaneous itchy hives for over 4 years
- Pale, erythematous, raised, itchy lesions (>40) on the upper back, neck, both arms and face
- No identified triggers
- Inadequate response to high-dose H1-antihistamines*
- Inadequate response to montelukast as add-on treatment*
Clinical characteristics
- Skin prick test negative, full blood count and CRP normal
- UAS7 = 28 and DLQI = 16
- Diagnosis: chronic spontaneous urticaria
*Not licensed in CSU.
ASST, autologous serum skin test; CRP, C-reactive protein; CSU, chronic spontaneous urticaria; DLQI, Dermatology Life Quality index; UAS7, urticaria activity score (seven days).