Abdominal Obesity and Metabolic Parameters in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Abstract

Aim:Abdominal obesity (AO) can affect some disease developments such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or thyroid autoimmunity. To date, there is no data on the anthropometric parameters’ impact on the development of refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). We evaluated the impact of AO on the course of the presence of refractory CSU and to determine the possible associated risk factors for having refractory CSU.Methods:This study was designed as a retrospective study and data was collected from January 2021 to April 2022. For determining AO, the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was used and calculated by the physicians, retrospectively. WHtR>0.5 was considered AO. Patients were divided into two groups [Group 1= refractory CSU (n=87) and Group 2= non-refractory CSU (n=83)]. Demographics, clinical characteristics of patients, and laboratory test findings were recorded from patients’ medical files, retrospectively.Results:A hundred and seventy CSU patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 38.95±13.08 years. The number of patients accompanying angioedema was significantly higher in refractory CSU than in non-refractory CSU [65 (74.7%) vs 45 (54.2%), p=0.005]. Exacerbation of urticaria plaques with stress was more common in refractory CSU than in non-refractory CSU (p=0.030). WHtRs were similar in both groups. Baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood neutrophil count were significantly higher in refractory CSU (p=0.008 and p=0.024, respectively).Conclusion:High baseline CRP levels, baseline blood neutrophil count, stress and angioedema accompanying CSU are the associated risk factors of refractory CSU in the Turkish population. Furthermore, AO may not have an impact on the development of antihistamine refractory CSU.

Keywords

• refractory urticaria
• abdominal obesity
• angioedema
• stress
• autoimmunity