1. Levocetirizine is an effective treatment in patients suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, multicenter study.
- Author
-
Kapp A and Pichler WJ
- Subjects
- Adult, Chronic Disease, Double-Blind Method, Efficiency, Female, Germany, Humans, Male, Severity of Illness Index, Sick Leave statistics & numerical data, Switzerland, Urticaria psychology, Cetirizine therapeutic use, Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating therapeutic use, Piperazines therapeutic use, Quality of Life, Urticaria drug therapy
- Abstract
Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is defined by the almost daily presence of urticaria for at least 6 weeks without an identifiable cause. Symptoms include short-lived wheals, itching, and erythema. CIU impedes significantly a patient's quality of life (QoL). Levocetirizine is an antihistamine from the latest generation approved for CIU., Aim: To investigate the efficacy of levocetirizine, 5 mg, and placebo for the symptoms and signs of CIU, as well as for the QoL and productivity., Methods: The primary criteria of evaluation were the pruritus severity scores over 1 week of treatment and over 4 weeks. The QoL was assessed via the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)., Results: Baseline pruritus severity scores were comparable in the two treatment groups (2.06+/-0.58). After 1 week, levocetirizine was superior to placebo and demonstrated a considerable efficacy (difference=0.78, P<0.001). This efficacy was maintained over the entire study period (4 weeks, P<0.001). The number and size of wheals were considerably reduced compared with placebo over 1 week and over the total treatment period (P
- Published
- 2006
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