EFFECTIVENESS OF AUTOLOGOUS SERUM THERAPY IN CHRONIC URTICARIA: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

BACKGROUND Chronic urticaria is a challenging condition, both for patient and physician in a day-to-day practice. There is constant search for newer modality of treatment, which can provide prolong remission with less side effect. Autologous serum therapy have shown promising result in initial studies. AIM To evaluate effectiveness of Autologous Serum Therapy in chronic urticaria patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective observational study. Total 220 patients enrolled for study. Autologous serum skin test performed in all patients; 113 patients were given Autologous Serum Therapy along with oral levocetirizine on SOS basis weekly and 107 patients were given only oral levocetirizine on demand basis. Response to treatment assessed by urticaria activity score, urticaria total severity score, antihistamine score, dermatological quality of life index and Likert scale on 2 weekly interval for 10 weeks. RESULTS Autologous Serum Therapy shown significant improvement in both Autologous Serum Skin Test positive and Autologous Serum Skin Test negative patients as compared to non-Autologous Serum Therapy groups. Autologous Serum Therapy is more effective in Autologous Serum Skin Test positive patients. CONCLUSION Autologous Serum Therapy is effective in chronic urticaria patients.