What lessons can we learn? Clinical and epidemiological retrospective analysis of 267 patients with urticaria in a Brazilian tertiary center

Abstract Background: There are few epidemiological studies of urticaria, published in the indexed literature (PubMed/Medline). Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical data among patients with urticaria/angioedema attending a reference clinic in Brazil. Methods: Two hundred sixty-seven patients were evaluated retrospectively considering demographic data, time course of the disease, triggering symptoms, the presence of angioedema, complementary laboratory tests including total blood count, reactive-C protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IgE serum levels, and other, as necessary. Results: The most commonly diagnosed type of urticaria was chronic spontaneous urticaria (56.93%). Angioedema was associated with chronic urticaria in 108 patients (40.08%). Study limitations: Unicentered and retrospective. Conclusion: Some relevant findings in this study are the observation of a female prevalence of cases (4-females: 1-man), a result more elevated than demonstrated in previous studies in Europe and Asia, the median age was 43-years old and the delay of time between the diagnosis of urticaria and the admission for treatment in a specialized center was approximately 2-years. Other multicenter studies can better establish these differences in Brazilian patients.

Epidemiology of angioedema without wheals in an allergy and immunology center

We describe the diagnostic epidemiology, the clinical course, the family history and the response to treatment of patients with angioedema without wheals (AWW) at an Allergy and Immunology Clinical Center. We reviewed the case records of all patients at our office from January 1997 to April 2013. We recorded sex, age, age at onset of symptoms, family history of angioedema, number of visits to the office, type of angioedema, and response to treatment from those patients with angioedema without wheals. We classified angioedema according to its pathophysiology. We also describe those patients with angioedema mimics. From a total of 17 823 new patients, 303 had a presumptive diagnosis of angioedema without wheals. Twenty-three patients had an angioedema mimic. Forty percent were male and 60% were female. Average age at first visit was 40.6. Average number of visits was 2.4. Fifty-seven patients referred a family history. We attributed idiopathic angioedema to 55.7% of patients, 24.3% were drug related, 15.7% were due to C1 inhibitor deficiency, 2.1% were drug related + idiopathic angioedema, 1.4% were type III and 0.7% had exercise-induced angioedema. Ninety six percent of 53 evaluable idiopathic angioedema patients referred a benefit with anti-histamine therapy. AWW was a rare cause of consultation. Most of our patients had anti H1 responsive idiopathic angioedema and none had allergic angioedema. Women cases prevailed over men´s. Family history and average age of onset of symptoms were different among the different types of angioedema.

Describimos la epidemiología, historia clínica, antecedentes familiares y respuesta al tratamiento de los pacientes consultando por angioedema sin urticaria en nuestra clínica especializada en Alergia e Inmunología. Revisamos retrospectivamente todas las historias clínicas de nuestro consultorio entre enero de 1997 y abril de 2013. Seleccionamos aquellos pacientes que habían consultado por angioedema sin urticaria y registramos el sexo, edad, edad de comienzo de síntomas, antecedentes familiares de angioedema, número de consultas, tipo de angioedema y respuesta al tratamiento. Clasificamos el angioedema de acuerdo a su fisiopatología. Describimos también los diagnósticos diferenciales que encontramos. De un total de 17 823 pacientes, 303 consultaron por angioedema sin ronchas. Veintitrés presentaban un diagnóstico alternativo. El 40% eran hombres y el 60% mujeres. La edad promedio de la primera visita fue 40.6 años. El promedio de consultas fue 2.4. Cincuenta y siete refirieron antecedentes familiares. El 55.7% fue clasificado como angioedema idiopático, el 24.3% secundario a drogas, el 15.7% secundario a deficiencia del inhibidor C1, 2.1% por drogas + idiopático, 1.4% angioedema tipo III y 0.71% asociado al ejercicio. Noventa y seis por ciento de 53 pacientes evaluables con angioedema idiopático se beneficiaron con antihistamínicos. El angioedema sin urticaria fue una causa rara de consultas. Las mujeres prevalecieron sobre los hombres. Los antecedentes familiares y la edad de comienzo de síntomas variaron de acuerdo al tipo de angioedema.

Angioedema por enalapril: caso clínico / Enalapril angioedema: clinical case

La prescripción de inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (IECA), en el manejo de la hipertensión e insuficiencia cardíaca se ha incrementado fuertemente desde su introducción en 1980. Estas drogas son consideradas seguras, pero se sabe que pueden producir angioedema severo como efecto secundarop en el 0.1 a 0.3% de los pacientes tratados. Caso clínico: paciente de sexo masculino de 57 años de edad, con diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial, tratado con Enalapril 20mg/día, desde hacía 7 días. Ingresa por guardia presentando angioedema en zona bipalpebral, bilateral; labio superior e inferior y regiones malares. No representa compromiso respiratorio. Dentro de sus antecedentes niega alergia a medicamentos y/o alimentos. Se indica como tratamiento Hidrocortisona y Difenhindramina (EV), evolucionando favorablemente, por lo que es externado indicándose Prednisona y Fexofenadina (OV). Dentro de las 48 hs. siguientes concurre a control, encontrandosé asintomático. Discusión: El mecanismo por el cual los inhibidores de la angiotensina producen angioedema no es claro pero probablemente sería por una acumulación tisular de bradiquinina. El angioedema generalmente afecta cabeza y cuello, por lo tanto la vía aérea está en riesgo. Ante un paciente con angioedema tratado con IECA, debería considerarse como primera causa a la administración del medicamento ya que la misma puede presentarse a los días, meses e incluso años de comenzado el tratamiento. Conclusión: El desafío para futuras investigaciones es identificar los subgrupos de pacientes con mayor riesgo de presentar angioedema, en quienes el riesgo de recibir terapia con IECA es mayor que el beneficio.

Prescription of angiotensin convertidara inhibitors (ACE) in the management of hypertension and heart failure has increased rapidly since its introduction in 1980. These drugs are considered to be safe, but it is known that can produce severe angioedema as side effect in 0.1 to 0.3% of treated patients. Clinical Case: A 57 years old male patient was admitted to the emergency department because angioedema in the bipalpebral and bilateral areas as well as in the upper and cheek regions. He had a diagnosis of hypertension and had been taking enalapril 20mg/day, for the previous 7 days. There was no respiratory compromise. He denied history of drug and / or food allergies. Hydrocortisone and Difenhindramina (EV) were prescribed with a favourable outcome. The patient was discharged with indications of prednisone and fexofenadine (OV). At a follow-up visit, 48 hours later, he presented no symptoms. Discussion: The mechanism by which inhibitors of angiotensin produced angioedema is unclear but would probably be by a tissue accumulation of bradykinin. Angioedema usually affects the head and neck so the airway is at risk. In patients with angioedema and ACE inhibitors treatment, IECA should be considered as first cause. It can occur days, months and even years of after the beginning of treatment. Conclusion: The challenge for future research is to identify subgroups of patients at increased risk of angioedema, in whom the risk of receiving ACE inhibitor therapy is greater than the benefit.

A case of losartan induced angioedema.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) target the renin-angiotensin system and are used in the management of hypertension. Both classes of drugs have similar side effects. ARBs are considered to be much better tolerated than ACE inhibitors with lesser incidence of side effects. Angioedema is a very rare side effect associated with ACE inhibitors (ACEI) and even rarer so with ARBs. The cause for angioedema in ACE inhibitors is said to be the rise in bradykinin levels. It has been postulated that angiotensin II receptor activates the bradykinin-prostaglandin-nitric oxide cascade, resulting in bradykinin-mediated side effects of ARBs such as angioedema, but the true mechanism remains largely unknown. We present here a rare case of late onset angioedema associated with losartan (an ARB) in a female patient. She had been started on an ARB as a first line treatment for uncomplicated mild to moderate hypertension. She had no prior exposure to ACE inhibitors and did not have any other significant medical history. Though rare angioedema is a serious recognized side effect of ARB therapy and the patients started on them should be warned to look for the early signs so as to take corrective action.