Acute urticaria treated with systemic glucocorticoids: An evidence-based review.

Abstract

<h4>Background and objectives</h4>Systemic glucocorticoids (GCs) are frequently used in the treatment of acute urticaria (AU) to reduce its duration and intensity. AU is a self-limited transient condition and might not require treatment in mild cases. This review aims to evaluate the most recent evidence on the benefit of using GCs in the treatment of uncomplicated AU.<h4>Method</h4>Evidence-based research was conducted on clinical guidelines published in The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and randomised controlled clinical trials (RCCT) in The Cochrane Library and PubMed. The medical subject headings (MeSH) terms used were 'urticaria' and 'glucocorticoids'.<h4>Results</h4>The initial research resulted in a total of 23 articles, of which two RCCT met all inclusion criteria.<h4>Discussion</h4>The initial research resulted in a total of 23 articles, of which two RCCT met all inclusion criteria.