Efficacy of omalizumab in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and its association with serum IgE levels and eosinophil count

Chronic spontaneous urticaria can be treated with several drugs such as antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists, cyclosporine, doxepin, hydroxychloroquine, colchicine, and corticosteroids. However, treatment-resistant urticaria significantly reduces quality of life. In recent years, omalizumab has been considered to be an effective treatment option in treatment-resistant cases. We aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of omalizumab in urticaria and its possible association with serum IgE levels, total eosinophil counts, and basophil percentages. Medical records of 11 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with omalizumab were reviewed retrospectively. Treatment response, urticaria activity score, serum basophil percentages, eosinophil, and IgE levels evaluated before and at the end of the therapy. Ten patients healed completely with omalizumab. One patient did not respond to therapy. No correlation was observed between serum IgE levels and treatment outcome. However, serum eosinophil levels decreased and basophil percentages increased with omalizumab treatment. Omalizumab is a safe and effective treatment choice in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. We suggest that omalizumab may have an effect in the treatment of urticaria through eosinophils.</p

Case Report Sigmoid Colon Migration of an Intrauterine Device

Background. Intrauterine devices (IUD) are commonly used birth control methods. Colonic perforation is an infrequent but serious complication of IUD. Case. A 34-year-old woman with 2-years history of IUD, inserted at early puerperal period, presented to gynecologist with chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia. Radiological assessment revealed that there were two copper-T devices: one in uterine cavity and another in the colonic lumen. Attempts of retrieval with colonoscopy and laparoscopy were unsuccessful. Intrauterine device embedded in sigmoid colon wall was removed with resection of the involved segment and primary anastomosis was performed. Conclusion. Although there are cases in literature that are successfully managed with colonoscopy, in chronic cases, formation of granulation tissue complicates retrieval of an IUD by this intervention

Efficacy of omalizumab in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and its association with serum IgE levels and eosinophil count

Chronic spontaneous urticaria can be treated with several drugs such as antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists, cyclosporine, doxepin, hydroxychloroquine, colchicine, and corticosteroids. However, treatment-resistant urticaria significantly reduces quality of life. In recent years, omalizumab has been considered to be an effective treatment option in treatment-resistant cases. We aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of omalizumab in urticaria and its possible association with serum IgE levels, total eosinophil counts, and basophil percentages. Medical records of 11 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with omalizumab were reviewed retrospectively. Treatment response, urticaria activity score, serum basophil percentages, eosinophil, and IgE levels evaluated before and at the end of the therapy. Ten patients healed completely with omalizumab. One patient did not respond to therapy. No correlation was observed between serum IgE levels and treatment outcome. However, serum eosinophil levels decreased and basophil percentages increased with omalizumab treatment. Omalizumab is a safe and effective treatment choice in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. We suggest that omalizumab may have an effect in the treatment of urticaria through eosinophils.</p