J Turk Acad Dermatol 2011; 6 (1): 1261q1.

Observations: A 15-month-old girl presented with brown-red macules and papules all over her body. The child's mother reported that the macules, which first appeared 6 months ago, became red and swollen when scratched or rubbed, and decreased in size as the child grew. Dermatologic examination of the skin revealed multiple, widespread, oval/round brown-red macules and papules on the posterior trunk and extremities except the soles, palms, and mucous membranes. The diagnosis of mastocytosis was confirmed with histopathological examination. Abstrac

Obesity is not associated with severe chronic urticaria in a French cohort

International audienc

Desloratadine 5 mg once daily improves quality of life in chronic idiopathic urticaria

Aim. Desloratadine (DL) is an effective treatment for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) symptoms, but there is little information about its impact on patients' perceived general wellbeing. The primary objective was to measure the effect of DL on the quality of life (QoL) of CIU patients, using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Secondary objectives were: evaluation of the effects of DL on pruritus and number of hives, sleep and daily activities, overall CIU condition, and assessment of therapeutic response. Safety and tolerability of DL were also evaluated. Methods. Two-hundred and fifty-five patients, aged 18-79 years and with moderate to severe CIU, were treated with DL 5 mg once daily for 28 days. Patients recorded signs and symptoms scores daily, and completed the DLQI questionnaire at baseline and on treatment days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Patients and investigators jointly evaluated overall CIU condition and therapeutic response at days 14 and 28. Results. After 28 days of treatment, DL significantly reduced mean overall DLQI score from 9.4 (±5.4) at baseline to 3 (±4.1) (-66.1%; P<0.001), with no significant differences between moderate and severe patients. Improvement in QoL was significant (P<0.001) at all time points and for all DLQI domains. All signs and symptoms scores were significantly correlated with DLQI score. Conclusion. Treatment with DL 5 mg for 4 weeks significantly improves symptoms and QoL in patients with CIU, irrespective of disease severity, and with a rapid onset of action