Open-label Non-blinded Cohort study on Anti-Histaminic Resistant Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria in Western India

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a chronic relapsing disease with hives for a period of six weeks or more. It has a significant impact on the physical and mental well-being of patients.

Open-label non-blinded study of over 600 patients diagnosed with CIU was done. The aim of the study was to observe the following: 1. Characteristics of patients of anti-histaminic resistant CIU, 2. Efficacy of cyclosporin and any adverse events in the study population and 3. Prognosis and relapse rates of these patients at the end of one year.

Detailed history taking and guided clinical evaluation were done to include chronic resistant urticarias in the study and their clinical characteristics and prognosis were studied.

A total of 610 patients were diagnosed with CIU over a period of four years. Of these, 47 patients (7.7%) were diagnosed with anti-histaminic resistant urticaria. Of these, 30 patients (4.9%) who took treatment with cyclosporin at the above dosages were included in group 1. Rest 17 patients were in group 2 that were continued on anti-histaminics. Patients in cyclosporin group 1 showed a significant reduction in symptom scores as compared with group 2 at the end of six months. A lower need for corticosteroid therapy was noted in the cyclosporin group.

Cyclosporin in low doses is very useful in anti-histaminic resistant urticaria with the duration of therapy being six months. It is cost-effective in low and medium-income countries and easily available.