Serum prolactin level in chronic urticaria: Is bromocriptine inducing remission in chronic urticaria?

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a disturbing disease with a negative impact on quality of life. Despite of several clinical studies on CU patients, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Prolactin (PRL) is peptide hormone has immunomodulatory effects in some immune inflammatory skin diseases. AIM: To elucidate any possible relationship between the immunomodulatory effects of PRL and CU. Besides, the study aims to investigate the crucial role of antiprolactin drugs in the management of CU patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum PRL level of 40 female patients with CU was measured using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The activity of CU was assessed by European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology; Global Allergy and Asthma European Network; European Dermatology Forum (EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF) activity score. Patients with high PRL level had been given anti prolactin therapy to normalize their PRL levels. Then, the disease activity was reassessed in these patients. RESULTS: The serum PRL level was high in 8 of 40 (20%) patients (43.18 ± 12.81). Half of patients with high PRL level had remission after treatment of hyperprolactinemia (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum PRL levels could not be considered as a marker of the disease activity in CU patients.