ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of repeated autologous serum injections in patients with chronic autoimmune urticarial
Methods: Patients of chronic autoimmune urticaria were prospectively analyzed for the efficacy of eight consecutive weekly autologous serum injections with a post-intervention follow-up of 12 weeks. Total urticaria severity score [TSS] was calculated at the baseline, at the end of treatment and lastly at the end of 12 weeks of follow-up. Response to therapy was judged by the percentage reduction in baseline TSS at the end of treatment and again at the end of 12 weeks of follow-up
Results: Out of the 65 patients enrolled, 4 opted out of study after one or the first few doses. Among the rest of the 61 patients, 16.4% patients showed excellent response and 55.7% showed good to fair response to autologous serum therapy. Poor response was seen in 27.9% of the study population. Among the responders, only 15.9% [out of 72] relapsed at the end of 12 weeks of follow-up and at the end of study protocol we had 60.7% of the study population who could be labeled as completely or partially remitted with the treatment regimen
Conclusion: Autologous serum therapy is an effective therapy in patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria. Better response is seen in female patients with short duration of disease