Frequency of thyroid autoimmunity in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria is 30%

The study authors evaluated 236 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) seen during a 2-year span. For serum basophil activation testing (BAT-CD203), 5% cell surface expression was considered a positive result.

77% of CIU patients were females with a mean age of 39 years. The mean age of males was 43 years.

Of patients tested for BAT-CD203, 38% of females and 13% of males had positive test results.

Of patients tested for thyroid autoimmunity (TA), 34% of females and 17% of males had underlying TA.

Cyclosporine or corticosteroids were used in 28% of the study population, with another 16% requiring a trial of additional third-line agents, with or without prednisone/cyclosporine.

The study authors concluded that frequency of TA in patients with CIU was 30% -- higher than that previously reported. The frequency of TA and BAT-CD203 positivity was higher in females.

References:
A retrospective review of clinical presentation, thyroid autoimmunity, laboratory characteristics, and therapies used in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Najib, Umer; Bajwa, Zahid H.; Ostro, Martin G.; Sheikh, Javed. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 103, Number 6, December 2009 , pp. 496-501(6).

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