Delayed pressure urticaria, objective evaluation of a variable disease using a dermographometer and assessment of treatment using colchicine

Abstract

A randomized double‐blind placebo controlled trial of colchicine in the treatment of 13 patients with delayed pressure urticaria enabled us to assess some of the variables in this disorder. We have modified a previously described method of pressure testing using a calibrated dermograph‐ometer and shown a pressure induced papular dose response curve. Assessment of disease activity was based on the number of pressure weals which occurred, the size of delayed pressure induced papules using a dermographometer calibrated at 9.75 × 10⁵ pascals for five separate time periods on the back and estimations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the acute phase protein levels. We have been unable to show a therapeutic effect using colchicine 0.5 mg bd for 1 week.