Introduction

Chronic urticaria is a disease characterized by recurrent itchy wheals and/or angioedema lasting longer than 6 weeks. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, and there are studies showing that interleukin (IL)-31 and IL-33 cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis.

Material and methods

A total of 79 chronic urticaria patients aged between 18 and 65 years who applied to the allergy outpatient clinic between October and December 2020 were included in the study. While 35 patients were given antihistamine treatment alone, 44 patients were given omalizumab in addition to antihistamines. In addition to routine examination of chronic urticaria patients, serum IL-31 and IL-33 levels were studied in patients and healthy volunteers.

Results

The only variable that was found to be statistically significantly higher in chronic urticaria patients compared with the control group was the IL-31 level. There was no significant difference when the groups were compared in terms of the IL-33 level. There was no significant change in IL-31 and IL-33 levels before and after treatment in patients receiving omalizumab treatment.

Conclusions

IL-31 levels were found to be high in chronic urticaria patients receiving antihistamine treatment, independent of omalizumab treatment.