NEW ASPECTS OF THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CHRONIC URTICARIA

Abstract

Chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by a marked impact on quality of life, a considerable prevalence and an economic burden of direct and indirect healthcare costs. Despite advances in understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, patients with CU mainly receive empiric treatment and there is no monitoring of the underlying inflammation in CU. The main aspects in the research into the pathophysiology of CU include genetic mechanisms, the role of functional autoantibodies, the characteristics of target cells and effector cells in the inflammation in CU, the regulation of the inflammation and the role of various mediators, acute phase proteins and hormones in the pathophysiology of CU. Research into the pathophysiological pathways of CU may lead to the definition of pathophysiological phenotypes of CU, the development of biomarkers of the underlying inflammation in CU and pathogenesis-based therapy for certain groups of CU patients.