The role and relationship of the serum D-dimer level and autologous serum skin test response in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Abstract

Background: The severity of chronic urticaria (CU) may be associated with the D-dimer level, and CU patients often have other autoimmune disorders. The autologous serum skin test (ASST) is believed to identify autoimmune/autoreactive diseases in CU patients. Aim: This study evaluated whether the levels of D-dimer, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and autoimmune markers, such as antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) and antithyroglobulin (TG), differ between ASST-positive and ASST-negative patients among CU patients. In addition, the study assessed whether these laboratory findings were related to CU severity. Methods: The study enrolled 54 adults with CU (16 ASST positive, 38 ASST negative). D-dimer, total IgE, autoimmune marker (anti-TPO and anti-TG), and thyroid hormone levels and the urticaria activity score (UAS) were measured. Results: The levels of D-dimer, total IgE, anti-TPO, and anti-TG and the thyroid function test result showed no difference between the ASST-positive and ASST-negative groups. The UAS was higher in the ASST-positive group than in the ASST-negative group, but the ASST-positive group showed a better treatment response. The UAS was higher in patients with an elevated D-dimer level than in those with a normal level. Total IgE was related to the UAS in only the ASST-negative group, and anti-TPO and anti-TG levels were not related to the UAS. Conclusions: There were no associations between the ASST response and the D-dimer level, total IgE level, thyroid function test results, and thyroid autoantibody levels. However, our findings suggest that the ASST response, D-dimer level, and total IgE level are potential predictors of CU severity.

Keywords

• Autologous serum skin test
• chronic urticaria
• D-dimer