Therapeutic effects of cetirizine in delayed pressure urticaria: clinicopathologic findings.
Cetirizine, a peripheral H1 antagonist, was administered to patients with delayed pressure urticaria in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Efficacy in reducing pressure-induced wheals and flares was evaluated. Histologic changes were also assessed with the skin window technique in weight-induced wheals. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in weight-induced wheal area (p less than 0.01) after cetirizine therapy; this improvement was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in eosinophil recruitment as demonstrated by the skin window technique (p = 0.0029). Subsequently, 14 patients with delayed pressure urticaria underwent biopsy before and after 3 weeks of cetirizine therapy to evaluate the drug's histologic effects. A blinded observer performed the histologic studies. Weight-induced lesions showed a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, primarily polymorphonuclear (neutrophils and eosinophils), whereas the unchallenged skin sites were normal. Cell counts from pressure-induced lesions showed a significant reduction in eosinophils after cetirizine treatment.
Section of Allergology, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
K
K
Kontou-Fili
G
G
Maniatakou
P
P
Demaka
M
M
Gonianakis
G
G
Palaiologos
K
K
Aroni
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017332:Cetirizine; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D017332:Cetirizine