Abstract Background: TempTest® is a new method based on the Peltier effect, which is validated for the diagnosis of patients with cold urticaria or heat urticaria, and it is able to measure the temperature variations and activity of these pathologies. Objective: To analyze the results of provocation tests by using this new method in patients with UFr and UCal, who were followed in a center of reference and excellence for urticaria (GA2LEN UCARE) in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: The medical records of 12 patients who had a history of UFr or UCal and were tested with TempTest® during December 2017 and February 2020 were analyzed. For temperature provocation tests, the patients were requested to place their forearm on the TempTest® thermal element for five minutes. A positive response was defined by the appearance of a 2-mm-papular lesion 10 minutes after the provocation test was started, as recommended. Results: 10 of the patients were women and 2 of them were men, from 13 to 77 years of age (mean = 50.2 years). Among the twelve patients, three of them had heat urticaria and nine of them had cold urticaria. The patients who were diagnosed with heat urticaria tested positive for The patients with cold urticarial tested positive for temperatures of 27 °C or lower. Conclusions: TempTest® is a reliable instrument to accurately diagnose and monitor diseases related to temperature variations, which is a factor that should be determined whenever possible since it can help patients prevent situations of exposure and danger.

Resumen Antecedentes: TempTest® es un nuevo método basado en el efecto Peltier, validado para el diagnóstico de pacientes con urticaria por frío o por calor, capaz de medir las variaciones de temperatura y la actividad de estas patologías. Objetivo: Analizar los resultados de las pruebas de provocación con TempTest® en pacientes con urticaria por frío o por calor, seguidos en un centro de referencia y excelencia para la urticaria (GA2LEN UCARE) en Río de Janeiro. Métodos: Fueron analizadas los registros médicos de 12 pacientes que tenían antecedentes de urticaria por frío o por calor y que se sometieron a una prueba de provocación con TempTest® durante diciembre de 2017 y febrero de 2020. En las pruebas de provocación de temperatura se solicitó a los pacientes que colocaran el antebrazo en el elemento de temperatura TempTest® durante cinco minutos. Una respuesta positiva se definió por la aparición de una pápula de 2 mm de extensión a los 10 minutos de iniciada la provocación, como se recomienda con el dispositivo. Resultados: 10 pacientes eran mujeres y dos hombres, edad de 13 a 77 años (media de 50.2 años). Entre los 12 pacientes, tres tenían urticaria por calor y nueve, urticaria por frío. Los pacientes diagnosticados con urticaria por calor fueron positivos para temperaturas iguales o superiores a 38 °C. Los pacientes con urticaria por frío fueron positivos para temperaturas iguales o inferiores a 27 °C. Conclusiones: TempTest® es un instrumento confiable para diagnosticar y monitorear con precisión las enfermedades relacionadas con las variaciones de la temperatura, factor que debe ser determinado siempre que sea posible, ya que puede ayudar a los pacientes a evitar situaciones de exposición y peligro.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria is a debilitating disease that considerably affects health-related quality of life, and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire is the only questionnaire specifically designed for its evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life of patients with chronic urticaria, using the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire. METHODS: The Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire was self-administered in 112 chronic urticaria patients and disease activity was assessed through the Urticaria Activity Score. Clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients were studied, such as: age, sex, etiologic diagnosis of chronic urticaria, duration of disease and Urticaria Activity Score. RESULTS: The population studied was composed 85.72% of women with a mean age of 46 years (18-90), while the median disease duration period was 10 years (3 months-60 years). Regarding the etiologic diagnosis, 48.22% had chronic spontaneous urticaria; 22.32% associated with inducible urticaria, 28.57% with chronic autoimmune urticaria, and 23.21% had physical urticaria alone. Disease activity evaluated using the Urticaria Activity Score was 1.04 ± 1.61 (0-6). The total score for the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire was 36 (0-100) and dimension I (sleep/mental status/eating) had a greater impact on quality of life. The items with the highest mean scores were nervousness and shame over lesions, while the items with the lowest scores were lip swelling and limitations on sporting activities. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic urticaria compromises patients' quality of life, mainly those with more severe disease or who are diagnosed with chronic autoimmune urticaria.

FUNDAMENTOS: A Dermatite Atópica é uma doença inflamatória crônica da pele. Os alimentos são importantes na patogênese da doença em 1/3 dos casos. Diversos mecanismos estão envolvidos na fisiopatogenia da dermatite Atópica. As reações imediatas são identificadas pela dosagem de IgE específica e teste de puntura. O teste de contato atópico parece ter relevância na investigação de pacientes com suspeita de reação tardia. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a padronização do método com relação à concentração do alérgeno, tempo de oclusão e de interpretação; e determinar a especificidade e a sensibilidade do teste de contato atópico em relação ao teste de puntura e a dosagem de IgE específica, no diagnóstico de alergia alimentar em crianças com dermatite Atópica. MÉTODOS: Setenta e duas crianças com 2 a 12 anos foram submetidas a teste de puntura e dosagem de IgE específicas para alimentos (leite de vaca, ovo, soja, trigo). O teste de contato atópico foi aplicado em 3 grupos: (1) Dermatite Atópica com ou sem Rinite e Asma; (2) Rinite e ou Asma sem Dermatite Atópica; (3) Saudáveis. RESULTADOS: No grupo 1, 40% dos pacientes apresentaram reação positiva. Quanto maior o tempo de exposição, maior foi a sensibilidade. No grupo 2, o teste foi mais específico que sensível para todos os extratos; com aumento da sensibilidade com maior tempo de exposição (72h). No grupo 3, 8.3% apresentaram testes positivos. CONCLUSÃO: O teste de contato atópico mostrou ter valor diagnóstico em relação às reações de fase tardia a alimentos, com elevada especificidade. Mostrou-se um teste específico e confiável ao comparar com os resultados do grupo controle.

BACKGROUND: Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Food allergens are important in the pathogenesis in 1/3 of the cases. Several mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis. Immediate reactions are identified by both measurement of specific IgE and skin prick test. Atopy Patch Test seems to be relevant in the investigation of patients with suspected delayed-type reactions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the standardization of this method concerning allergen concentration, occlusion time and interpretation, and determine the specificity and sensitivity of the Atopy Patch Test according to the skin prick test and specific IgE levels in food allergy diagnosis in children with Atopic Dermatitis. METHODS: Seventy-two children, aged 2-12 years were selected and followed at the allergy clinic of the Hospital São Zacharias. Skin prick test, specific IgE and food Atopy Patch Test (cow's milk, egg, soy and wheat) were carried out. Three groups were submitted to the Atopy Patch Test: (1) Atopic Dermatitis with or without Rhinitis and Asthma; (2) Rhinitis and or Asthma without AD; (3) Healthy individuals. RESULTS: In group 1, 40% of the patients presented positive reactions. The longer the exposure time (48h and 72h), the higher the sensitivity. In group 2, the test was more specific than sensitive for all the extracts, with increased sensitivity the longer the time of exposure (72h). In group 3, 8.3% presented positive tests. CONCLUSION: APT evidenced a great diagnostic value in late-phase reactions to food, with high specificity. It showed to be a specific and reliable tool in comparison with the healthy group's results.

O Angioedema Hereditário é uma doença autossômica dominante. A pesquisa de rotina para autoanticorpos não é recomendada para pacientes com Angioedema Hereditário; entretanto, a prevalência desses anticorpos em pacientes com Angioedema Hereditário não está bem documentada. Objetivamos determinar a prevalência de autoanticorpos para identificar indivíduos sob risco de desenvolver doenças autoimunes. Quinze pacientes com Angioedema Hereditário atendidos no Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho aceitaram participar do estudo. A prevalência de autoanticorpos foi de 40%. Nossos dados indicam alta prevalência de autoanticorpos em pacientes com Angioedema Hereditário. Estudos de maior escala deveriam ser considerados para determinar a significância desses autoanticorpos no acompanhamento clínico de pacientes com Angioedema Hereditário.

Hereditary Angioedema is a dominantly inherited disease. Routine screening of autoantibodies (AAB) is not recommended for individuals with Hereditary Angioedema; however, prevalence of these antibodies in Hereditary Angioedema patients is not well documented. We aim to determine the prevalence of AAB so that individuals at risk of developing autoimmune diseases can be identified. Fifteen patients with Hereditary Angioedema attended at Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital accepted to participate in this study. Prevalence of AAB was 40%. Our data indicate high prevalence of AAB in patients with Hereditary Angioedema. Large-scale studies should be considered to determine the significance of these AAB in the follow-up care of patients with Hereditary Angioedema.