A Case-Control Study Comparing the General Characteristics of Patients with Symptomatic Dermographism and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Is Atopy a Risk Factor for Symptomatic Dermographism?

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Symptomatic dermographism (SDerm) is the most common chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) subtype. There is still limited information in the literature about clinical features, triggering factors, and accompanying comorbidities of SDerm. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features and laboratory data of patients with SDerm and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The clinical features and laboratory data of patients with SDerm and CSU were compared retrospectively. The laboratory data and general characteristic features of the patients were obtained from the medical records. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study included a total of 361 patients (CSU: 220, SDerm: 141). The rates of asthma (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79, <i>p</i> = 0.036), allergic rhinitis (OR: 6.03, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and thyroid disease (OR: 1.78, <i>p</i> = 0.039) were higher in patients with SDerm. The disease duration (median 12 months, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and regular antihistamine use (OR: 0.31, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were lower in patients with SDerm. Total IgE level (median: 193, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), thyroid antibody positivity (OR: 1.93, <i>p</i> = 0.039), and atopy (OR: 8.81, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were higher in patients with SDerm. <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> (OR: 17.72, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), <i>Dermatophagoides farinae</i> (OR: 17.20, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), grass pollen (OR: 2.50, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.026), cat epithelium (OR: 3.68, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.023), and cockroach (OR: 4.93, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.009) allergen positivity rates were higher in patients with SDerm. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Atopic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis and the sensitization rate to aeroallergens seem to be higher in patients with SDerm than in patients with CSU. The results of this study should be supported by multicenter studies of patients from different geographical regions.