CLINICAL FEATURES AND RELATED FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SPONTANEOUS URTICARIA WITH NEGATIVE AUTOLOGOUS SERUM TEST

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a subtype of urticaria characterized by sustained mast cell activation. Approximately 50% of chronic spontaneous urticaria cases are thought to be associated with an autoimmune mechanism. The autologous serum skin test (ASST) is an in vivo laboratory assessment of mast cell degranulation. ASST can be used for screening patients with autoimmune chronic urticaria. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics, as well as associated factors, in CSU patients with a negative ASST result.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 711 medical records of patients who met all the diagnostic criteria for chronic spontaneous urticaria and underwent autologous serum testing. The medical records provided complete information on the patients' medical history, clinical manifestations, test results, and treatment responses.

Results: Among 711 patients with CSU, 55.7% (396/711) had a positive ASST result, while the remaining 44.3% (315/711) were negative. Among patients with a positive ASST result, females accounted for 63.38%, while males accounted for 36.62%. The prevalence of angioedema in the ASST-negative group was 23.5% which was lower than in the ASST-positive group (32.75%) (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in age, disease duration, serum IgE concentrations, or treatment response between the ASST-negative and ASST-positive groups.

Conclusion: The ASST is a simple test that may help support the diagnosis and management of chronic spontaneous urticaria.