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Chronic spontaneous urticaria: etiology and pathogenesis
1Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Room 2B. 71B, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
|November 23, 2013
Summary
Urticaria, a common skin condition affecting 1 in 5 people, often prompts a search for triggers. However, in most chronic urticaria cases, no external cause is identified, and its pathogenesis remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Urticaria is a common condition affecting all age groups.
- Lifetime prevalence of urticaria is nearly 20%, with chronic urticaria affecting about 1% of the population annually.
- Symptoms often mimic allergic reactions, leading to investigations for external triggers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current understanding of urticaria, particularly chronic urticaria.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and the frequent absence of identifiable external causes.
- To discuss the existing, yet unconfirmed, theories regarding the pathogenesis of urticaria.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological data on urticaria prevalence.
- Analysis of common clinical presentations and diagnostic approaches.
- Examination of current etiological theories and pathogenetic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Urticaria is highly prevalent, affecting a significant portion of the population.
- Chronic urticaria frequently lacks identifiable external trigger factors.
- The underlying causes and mechanisms of chronic urticaria are not yet well-established.
Conclusions:
- Urticaria is a widespread dermatological condition with significant prevalence.
- Despite symptom similarity to allergic reactions, external triggers are rarely found in chronic urticaria.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of urticaria.
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