The Efficacy of a Pseudoallergen-Free Diet in the Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria and/or Angioedema

Primary Outcome Measures: The frequency and severity of CIU and/or angioedema (as determined via a five point rating scale) Secondary Outcome Measures: The relative use of antihistamines (ie how many, how often)

The role of dietary pseudoallergens as a trigger for CIU and/or Angioedema is a controversial subject. ‘Dietary Pseudoallergy’ refers to the mimicking of IgE symptoms (such as rash, itch and swelling) by components of food in the absence of a true IgE mediated response (as diagnosed by RAST and skin prick testing).

The pseudoallergen-free diet excludes a range of naturally occuring chemicals (including salicylates, amines and brewers yeast) in addition to a range of artifical preservatives and additives (for example sulphites and glutamates). The control diet is based on the general dietary guidelines for the management of diabetes (including the principles of healthy eating, low glycemic index choices and a reduced saturated fat intake).

Subjects recruited into the study will have a 3 month history of CIU and/or Angioedema and will be randomly assigned to either the active or control arm of the study in a single blinded fashion. All subjects will be advised to cease antihistamine medication and will receive one-on-one dietary counselling by a Dietitian. The diet to which each subject has been assigned (ie either active or placebo) is to be followed for a 4 week duration. The frequency and severity of CIU and/or Angioedema as well as adherence to the diet are to be measured on both a daily and weekly basis by the subject via the completion of a clinical score card. The results of the score cards will be collated to determine the relative effects of each diet on these conditions.