Investigating the association of atopy and aeroallergen sensitization and chronic spontaneous urticaria

Introduction
Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin allergic reaction with an unknown mechanism. There is inadequate evidence to support the role of aeroallergen sensitization in CSU.

Aim
The present study was conducted to investigate the association between the aeroallergen sensitivity and CSU.

Material and methods
In this cross-sectional study, 91 patients with CSU were recruited. Information on demographic characteristics was collected. The skin prick test (SPT) for most prevalent aeroallergens and pulmonary function test (PFT) were performed and the results were clinically matched to investigate the allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration was analysed in the subjects for the presence of atopy.

Results
Ninety one patients (75 of them were females) were enrolled in the study (with a mean age of 36.90 ±12.93 years). SPT result was positive in 75 (82.4%) subjects. Weeds (67 cases, 73.6%), trees (61 cases, 67%), and dust mites (55 cases, 60.4%) were the most common pollens in the positive SPT samples. Thirty-seven (40.7%) of the patients had allergic rhinitis. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of AR and positive SPT result (p = 0.002). Eight patients had allergic asthma and 45 (49.4%) of the patients had a total serum IgE level of more than 100 IU/ml.

Conclusions
Our results indicated a clear association between the presence of aeroallergen sensitivity and development of CSU. AR exists as a co-morbidity of CSU.