Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a challenging disorder that severely impacts the quality of life. The current study objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of jujube oxymel (JO) for treating CSU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 92 patients (aged 12-65) with CSU were randomly allocated to JO or placebo groups. They received 30cc of each syrup three times daily with 10 mg cetirizine for 28 days, subsequently taking 10 mg cetirizine alone for the next 4 weeks. Outcomes were evaluated using the weekly urticaria activity score (UAS-7) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL). RESULTS: After four weeks, the UAS-7 score mean and standard deviation in the JO group significantly decreased to 10.89 ± 4.87 compared to the placebo group at 15.06 ± 7.55 (P: 0.002). In the follow-up period, JO group participants achieved a score of 10.28 (4.67), while a significant increase occurred in the control group (18.33 ± 6.29) (P = 0.001). On day 28, there was a notable improvement in the quality of life within the JO group (P < 0.05). By the eighth week, both groups experienced an increase in CU-Q2oL score, but the changes in the control group were statistically significant (18.09 (5.96) vs 41.31 (10.34) (P: 0.001). CONCLUSION: JO, as part of integrated therapy, exhibited potentially longer-lasting efficacy than cetirizine alone, contributing to enhanced quality of life and increased patient satisfaction due to minimal side effects.