This site requires JavaScript to be enabled to work properly. Please modify your settings or use a different browser to continue

       

You are now leaving GSK’s website

This link will take you to a non-GSK website. GSK does not recommend, endorse or accept liability for sites controlled by third-parties.

Continue

Go back

Specialist consultations reduce corticosteroid prescriptions for patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Evaluation of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) by an allergist or immunologist markedly decreased prescriptions for corticosteroids, according to new research presented at the 2016 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting. 1

The authors investigated the impact of specialist consultations on filled prescriptions of corticosteroids for patients with CSU. 1Using a nationwide US claims database (Truven Health Analytics MarketScan), they performed an interrupted time series analysis for prescriptions between January 2010 and December 2012.1 A total of 635 patients with incident cases of CSU and an evaluation by an allergist were included in the analysis. 1

The authors found that during the year prior to the evaluation by an allergist, prescriptions of oral steroids rose by 1,579 mg per month (measured in prednisone equivalents) and peaked at 31,145 mg in the month before the allergy evaluation. 1

In the year following the allergy specialist consultation, prescriptions of oral steroids decreased significantly, by 1,580 mg per month (p=0.0003). 1

The authors concluded that the consultation with an allergy/immunology specialist led to a significant decrease in corticosteroid prescriptions for patients with CSU. 1This may be due to the initiation of treatment with second-line immunomodulating agents. 1

Reference list

  1. Orden RA, Liu Y-C, Hsu Y-J, Segal JB. The effectiveness of allergy evaluation in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 137(2 Suppl): AB242, Abstract 789.