Angioedema is an unfavorable factor for the response to omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria: A retrospective study

Antihistamines are the first-line treatment option for chronic urticaria. In recent years, omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin-E humanized monoclonal antibody, has been used in patients with recalcitrant disease. The present study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab and determine whether there was a difference between complete and partial responses to omalizumab with respect to age, gender, disease duration and coexistence of angioedema. From May 2014 to December 2016, a total of 40 refractory chronic urticaria patients were treated with omalizumab. Complete response was observed in 19 (47.5%) patients, and partial response was observed in 18 (45%) patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the rates of complete and partial responses in patients with respect to gender, age, and disease duration. However, complete response was more frequent (60%) in patients without angioedema. Remission was observed in 40.5% (n = 15) of patients, and the follow-up time was 5.5 +/- 2.4 months. There was a statistically significant association between remission and coexistence of angioedema (p < .05). Eighty-seven percent (13/15) of the remission patients did not have angioedema. Thus, omalizumab can be used effectively and safely in refractory chronic urticaria patients. However, the coexistence of angioedema may be an unfavorable factor for complete response and remission.