title: Update on the treatment of chronic urticaria.
abstract: Chronic spontaneous urticaria, also known as chronic idiopathic urticaria or simply chronic urticaria, is a common disorder that has a prevalence in the general population that ranges between 0.5% and 1%. This condition negatively affects the patient's quality of life and has considerable impact on direct and indirect health-related costs. Chronic urticaria is difficult to manage. Nonsedating H1 antihistamines are the first line of therapy, but fewer than 50% of patients experience relief at recommended dosages. Although guidelines call for increasing the dosage when response is inadequate, some patients still do not achieve adequate control of symptoms. New treatment alternatives, with proven efficacy under the standards of evidence-based medical practice, must therefore be developed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital del Mar-Parc de Salut Mar, Universitat Autónoma, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: laia.curto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Curto-Barredo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital General universitario, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital del Mar-Parc de Salut Mar, Universitat Autónoma, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Giménez-Arnau
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069444:Omalizumab; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D000069444:Omalizumab
keywords: Antihistamines; Antihistamínicos; Autoimmune chronic urticaria; Chronic spontaneous urticaria; Tratamiento; Treatment; Urticaria crónica autoinmune; Urticaria crónica espontánea