title: Systemic inflammatory response and calcification markers in patients with long lasting moderate-severe chronic spontaneous urticaria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low grade inflammation is associated with both chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and atherosclerosis. Data regarding an association between urticarial inflammation and atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular events are scarce. It has been demonstrated that matrix GLA protein (MGP), a biomarker of arterial calcification, is increased in patients with atherosclerosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate circulating levels of markers of arterial calcification and acute phase response (APR) in patients with CSU.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concentrations of MGP and IL-6 were measured in venous blood samples of patients with long-lasting moderate-severe CSU.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in serum MGP concentration between healthy subjects and CU patients. Serum IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in CSU patients as compared with healthy subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm that CSU is accompanied by a low grade systemic inflammatory state. However, the long lasting urticarial inflammation was not paralleled by an increased circulating level of the calcification marker matrix Gla protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, ul. M. Curie-Sklodowskiej 10, 41-813 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grzanka
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Machura
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Otolaryngology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiolek
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Polaniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasperski
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, ul. M. Curie-Sklodowskiej 10, 41-813 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperska-Zajac
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: acute phase response; calcification; chronic inflammation; chronic spontaneous urticaria; matrix Gla Protein