title: Platelet and other hemostatic characteristics in patients with chronic urticaria.
abstract: Several publications have pointed out the importance of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the occurrence of chronic urticaria (CU), but only a few indicated the direct role of platelets. We assessed platelet aggregation and evaluated parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with CU. Patients (n = 34) diagnosed as having CU and 36 healthy controls were enrolled. Platelet aggregation was assayed using an impedance aggregometer and adenosine diphosphate, arachidonic acid, thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP), and ristocetin as agonists. In patients with CU, significantly decreased platelet aggregation to some agonists (ristocetin and TRAP) was observed. The D-dimer levels were elevated, mean platelet volume was decreased, but no alteration was observed in other coagulation assays. Elevated D-dimer levels indicated that coagulation and fibrinolysis are activated in the patients with CU. Evaluation of platelet function may contribute to identify the role of these cells in the pathogenesis of CU.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Bakirkoy, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilgun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Isiksacan
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Halkali, Istanbul, Turkey muratkoser@mail.com.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koser
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Halkali, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ferhan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cemsitoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umut C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Kucuksezer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Figen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gurdol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D
keywords: D-dimer; aggregation; chronic urticaria; coagulation; platelet