Investigation of dermatology life quality index and serum prolactin and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels in patients with chronic urticaria.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is known to be one of the most disturbing diseases which significantly affect the quality of life. Prolactin (PRL) and DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) are stress-associated hormones in chronic urticaria.

Objective: In the present study, we measured DHEA-S and prolactin levels of CU patients, compared them with healthy subjects and evaluated the association between disease status and serum levels.

Methods: Plasma DHEA-S and serum PRL concentrations were measured in 48 CU patients and 31 healthy subjects. CU activity was assessed with the use of the symptom scores recommended with EAACI/GALEN/EDF guidelines. All the patients participating in this study were evaluated by means of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). With respect to DLQI and clinical activity scores, plasma DHEA-S and serum prolactin levels were compared.

Results: Median plasma concentration of DHEA-S was significantly lower in CU patients as compared with healthy subjects (p = 0.026). DHEA-S levels of females were significantly lower than males (p = 0.001). Mean PRL values of the patients were higher than the controls, but not statistically significant (p = 0.619) and there was a statistically signifcant inverse correlation with DHEA-S levels (p = 0.04, r = -0.298). Therewas a significant correlation between DLQI and clinical disease activity (p < 0.001, r = 0.748).

Conclusions: The exact relation of hormones to CU pathogenesis remains to be determined by further clinical studies. In addition, therapies aiming to increase DHEA-S and decrease PRL may be subject to trial in CU.