DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Chronic urticaria: do urticaria nonexperts implement treatment guidelines? A survey of adherence to published guidelines by nonexperts.

Author(s): Ferrer M, Jauregui I, Bartra J, Davila I, del Cuvillo A, Montoro J, Mullol J, Valero A, Sastre J

Affiliation(s): Departamento de Alergologia e Inmunologia Clinica, Clinica Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain. mferrerp@unav.es

Publication date & source: 2009-04, Br J Dermatol., 160(4):823-7. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND: Guidelines including level of evidence and grade of recommendation were recently published for chronic urticaria (CU). OBJECTIVES: To describe the therapeutic approach in patients with CU, and to depict how recent guidelines are implemented in the daily practice of management of CU. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional multicentre study through a questionnaire answered by 139 specialists. In total, 695 patients were evaluated, mean+/-SD age 42.3+/-15 years, 62.1% women. Of the patients, 168 were treated by an allergist, 473 by a dermatologist and in 54 cases the specialist was not stated. The drug prescribed was the main variable, and chi2 and Fisher's tests were utilized for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Nonsedating anti-H1 antihistamines taken regularly were the most common drugs prescribed, followed by nonsedating anti-H1 antihistamines taken as needed, corticosteroids, sedating antihistamines taken regularly, sedating antihistamines taken as needed, anti-H2 antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists, ciclosporin and doxepin. Nonsedating antihistamines plus corticosteroids was the most frequent drug combination prescribed. When comparing between allergists and dermatologists we found a positive and significant correlation only between prescription of cetirizine, dexchlorfeniramine, leukotriene antagonists and anti-H2 antihistamines and being treated by an allergist. A positive correlation was found with desloratadine and being seen by a dermatologist. We did not find any difference in CU management in the rest of the treatments studied. CONCLUSIONS: It is surprising that a large amount of sedating antihistamines was prescribed. In many instances these were prescribed as needed. This fact could have a negative impact on urticaria control and patient satisfaction. It seems difficult for the nonexpert to differentiate between CU and any kind of physical urticaria.

Page last updated: 2009-10-20

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017