Practical algorithm for diagnosing patients with recurrent wheals or angioedema.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chronic urticaria is a common disorder characterized by recurrent wheals, angioedema, or both. Several differential diagnoses need to be considered in patients presenting with wheals and/or angioedema. These include rare diseases such as autoinflammatory syndromes and urticarial vasculitis in patients with recurrent wheals and bradykinin-mediated angioedema in patients with recurrent swellings. AIM AND RESULT: In order to not miss these conditions, we have developed a symptom-based diagnostic algorithm for the management of patients with wheals and/or angioedema.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

By asking the right questions and performing a limited diagnostic workup as suggested here, this algorithm may help to establish the right diagnosis and treat patients early and more effectively.

• Authors: M Maurer, M Magerl, M Metz, F Siebenhaar, K Weller, K Krause
• Journal: Allergy (Allergy) Vol. 68 Issue 6 Pg. 816-9 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1398-9995 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 23646863 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Topics

• Algorithms
• Angioedema (diagnosis, etiology)
• Angioedemas, Hereditary (complications, diagnosis)
• Chronic Disease
• Decision Support Techniques
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases (complications, diagnosis)
• Humans
• Recurrence
• Schnitzler Syndrome (complications, diagnosis)
• Urticaria (etiology)
• Vasculitis (complications, diagnosis)