Serum Amyloid A as a Potential Biomarker for Disease Activity in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024 Jan;12(1):195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.09.004. Epub 2023 Sep 15.

Abstract

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is an inflammatory skin disease with a complex physiopathology. Serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute-phase reactant, has been proposed as a potential biomarker in urticaria but has yet to be studied in a population with CSU or correlated with disease activity as indicated by the Urticaria Activity Score summed over 7 days (UAS7).

Objective: We sought to determine SAA-1 levels in patients with CSU and correlate them with its activity and control, as well as with clinical features of CSU and other potential blood biomarkers.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study of 67 patients with CSU, from whom we obtained demographic and clinical data, UAS7 as an indicator of CSU activity, and blood and serum markers.

Results: SAA-1 levels positively correlated with UAS7 (rs = 0.47, P < .001). SAA-1 levels were higher in patients with noncontrolled (UAS7 > 6) CSU than in those with controlled (UAS ≤ 6) CSU (P < .001) and were also higher in patients with concomitant angioedema (P = .003) or delayed pressure urticaria (P = .003).

Conclusion: We propose SAA-1 as a potential biomarker for activity in CSU. Further studies are required to evaluate its potential role as a biomarker for other CSU outcomes, such as response to treatment.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Chronic spontaneous urticaria; Chronic urticaria; Serum amyloid A protein; Urticaria.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Chronic Disease
  • Chronic Urticaria*
  • Humans
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / therapeutic use
  • Urticaria* / diagnosis

Substances

  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Biomarkers