Allergic diseases are a global public health problem, concerning the largest number of patients, with the widest age distribution. Chronic urticaria (CU) is yet another commonly described clinical allergic disease. Bilastine is efficacious in treating CU, especially skin wind masses and erythema. 

The present study systematically evaluated the efficacy and safety of bilastine for treating CU symptoms and provided an evidence-based reference for clinically rational drug use. 

The study explored the reputed databases and extracted the trials that contained the effect of bilastine on patients with CU until November 2021. 

The study observed:

• Inclusion of 7 investigations, comprising 975 patients.
• Significant improvement in the skin quality of life index, Total Symptom Score (TSS) and weekly urticaria activity score by bilastine compared to the control group.
• Significant differences in skin quality of life index DLQI score, skin symptom score TSS, the number of hives in a week UAS-7 score after bilastine use.

This study shows that bilastine has a better therapeutic effect on CU and significantly improves the clinical symptoms and quality of life of CU.

Source: Xue X, Wang Q, Yang X, et al. Effect of bilastine on chronic urticaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2022 Nov 11:1-10. [Epub ahead of print]