[Autoimmune urticaria. Treatment with methotrexate].
BACKGROUND
It has been established that 27-50% of patients with idiopathic chronic urticaria have antibodies directed against the alpha chain of the high-affinity IgE receptor, which are indirectly detected by cutaneous tests with autoserum. Thus, an autoimmune urticaria diagnosis can be settled.


OBJECTIVE
To prove methotrexate's efficiency in patients with autoimmune urticaria.


METHODS
Seven patients took part in the study. A series of tests was performed in order to rule out any possible infectious, metabolic, or physical etiology. Initial treatment with methotrexate with doses of 2.5 mg every 12 hours, two days a week was provided. In case there were no toxicity data, doses would increase to three days a week for a 6-week period.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvement was observed in the itching, as well as the presence of spots, repercussion on daily activities, sleep disorders. There was no statistical difference regarding the extension of the lesions and the presence of angioedema. Adverse effects were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that methotrexate is effective in the treatment of autoimmune urticaria.
Montero Mora
Patricia
P
Servicio de alergia e inmunologia clinica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, México, DF.
González Pérez
Maria del Carmen
Mdel C
Almeida Arvizu
Victor
V
Matta Campos
Juan José
JJ
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology*; D013440:Sulfides; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000085:Acetates; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D003521:Cyclopropanes; C475664:FCER1A protein, human; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D013440:Sulfides; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine; C093875:montelukast; D008727:Methotrexate