title: A Review of International Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Urticaria.
abstract: Both spontaneous and inducible forms of chronic urticaria pose a significant economic burden and have an adverse effect on patients' quality of life. The international guidelines and US practice parameters for the diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria both recommend performing a thorough patient history and physical examination, conducting limited routine laboratory testing, and taking a stepwise approach to treatment. These documents differ in several areas, such as the order of diagnostic procedures and the treatment for patients non-responsive to standard dose H1-antihistamines. Patients with chronic urticaria who visit a specialist have typically been treated with second-generation H1-antihistamines - the recommended first-line treatments. The advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option should be taken into consideration when selecting therapies beyond H1-antihistamines. Greater awareness of the international guidelines and US practice parameters will likely improve the quality of care for patients with chronic urticaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 14642 Rochester, USA. Lisa_Beck@URMC.Rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maurer
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069444:Omalizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014581:Urticaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D000069444:Omalizumab