Prospective Monitoring of Clinical Features of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Serum Values of IL-6, ESR, CBC, Total IgE, Thyroid Findings, D-Dimer and Vitamin D During Patient Treatment with Antihistamines

Background/Objectives: Recognizing several proposed serum biomarkers for chronic spontaneous urticaria, we investigated correlations among IL-6, ESR, CRP, CBC values, total IgE, thyroid abnormalities, ANA, D-dimer, and vitamin D in individuals with CSU/ Methods: In this prospective study of 41 patients with CSU, we assessed disease severity and quality of life using UAS7, daily UAS, UCT, DLQI, and CU-Q2oL. Concurrently, we measured serum IL-6, ESR, CRP, CBC, total IgE, thyroid antibodies and hormones, ANA, D-dimer, and vitamin D. Results: Serum parameter levels (IL-6, CBC, ESR, CRP, thyroid findigs, D-dimer, vitamin D) were most often slightly elevated, while basophil counts were frequently reduced. T4 showed a significant dependence on CSU duration(r=−0.328; p=0.036); basophil concentration significantly negatively correlated daily disease activity (daily UAS; r=−0.475; p=0.002); and with DLQI (r=−0.358 to −0.359; p≤0.034); basopenia was more frequent in patients with moderate/severe CSU than in those with mild disease or remission, as measured by daily UAS (79% vs. 37%; p=0.020); basophil concentration was the only biomarker useful in assessing CSU severity/daily UAS (sensitivity 78.6%; specificity 63%, p=0.028); ESR as the only significant predictor for UAS7 severity (p=0.038). Conclusions: These promising results highlight the need for replication in a study with a greater number of CSU patients.