Prevalencia de urticaria crónica: un estudio en población pediátrica de un hospital general / Prevalence of chronic urticaria: A study in the pediatric population of a general hospital

Introducción. La urticaria crónica es una afección inflamatoria de la piel caracterizada por presencia de habones evanescentes y/o angioedema, que ocurren durante un período ≥ 6 semanas. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de esta enfermedad y describir características clínicas en niños y adolescentes menores de 19 años de un hospital general. Población y métodos. Estudio corte transversal, realizado entre el 2015 y el 2020, en una población de niños y adolescentes de un sistema de salud privado. Resultados. Se revisaron 1567 historias clínicas de pacientes con urticaria atendidos durante el período de estudio. Se identificaron 36 pacientes con urticaria crónica; se estableció una prevalencia del 0,16 % (IC95% 0,11-0,22). Conclusión. La prevalencia de urticaria crónica en niños y adolescentes fue del 0,16 %. Se observó mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino y adolescentes.

Introduction. Chronic urticaria is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by the presence of evanescent wheals or angioedema that last for ≥ 6 weeks. Objective. To determine the prevalence of urticaria and describe its clinical characteristics in children and adolescents under 19 years of age in a general hospital. Population and methods. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between 2015 and 2020 in a population of children and adolescents seen at a private healthcare facility. Results. A total of 1567 medical records of patients with urticaria seen during the study period were reviewed. Thirty-six patients with chronic urticaria were identified; the prevalence was 0.16% (95% CI: 0.11­0.22). Conclusion. The prevalence of chronic urticaria in children and adolescents was 0.16%. A higher frequency was observed among girls and adolescents.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of adult patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria in Latvia: insights from a two-centre study.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) significantly impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. This study aimed to elucidate the epidemiological and clinical profiles of adult CSU patients in Latvia. Patient interviews and electronic medical records from two study centres in Riga, Latvia, were reviewed. PROMs, including UCT, UAS7, USS, and CU-Q2oL, were used to assess disease control, activity, severity, and quality of life. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi v. 2.3.28 and IBM SPSS v. 29.0.0.0. The cohort included 140 CSU patients (76.4% female; mean age 41.3 ± 14.9 years), mostly urban residents (87.1%) and non-smokers (53.6%). Urticaria with angioedema occurred in 52.1% and isolated urticaria in 47.9%, with 40% experiencing CSU for 1-5 years. Accompanying symptoms were reported by 63% and triggers by 72.9%. Allergy history and autoimmune disease diagnosis were noted in 49.3% and 29.3%. Treatment mainly involved second-generation antihistamines (85.7%) and omalizumab (17.9%). Mean scores for USS, UCT, and UAS7 were 28.8 (SD: 17.8), 8.2 (SD: 3.7), and 17.2 (SD: 14.1). UAS7 indicated severe CSU in 28.6%, and UCT suggested poorly controlled disease in 77.9%. CU-Q2oL total scores revealed mental status as the most affected domain (mean score: 51.7, SD: 28.7), with a significant association between accompanying symptoms and questionnaire scores. This study provides insights into the demographic and clinical aspects of CSU patients in Latvia, highlighting areas for potential improvement in patient care and emphasizing the need for further investigation into treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.

A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Comorbidity in 19,264 Chinese Patients of Different Ages with Urticaria.

To examine the prevalence of comorbidities in Chinese urticaria patients and assess medication use patterns across different ages (6-11 years, 12-17 years, above 18 years), a retrospective cohort study was performed in 192,647 urticaria patients within the Health Database. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 166,921 people were divided into the urticaria group and the control group, and the follow-up data were collected within 2 years. During the 12-month and 24-month follow-up period, significant comorbidities identified included allergic rhinitis and asthma, with distinct patterns observed across age groups. Chronic urticaria patients often have complications, such as allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infection, oropharyngeal infection, and dental caries. The study underscores the need for age-specific treatment strategies in urticaria management.

Clinical Impacts of Omalizumab on the Psychiatric Comorbidities of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Individuals with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) experience significant sleep disturbances and are at risk of anxiety and depression.

Non-Skin Related Symptoms Are Common in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Linked to Active and Uncontrolled Disease: Results From the Chronic Urticaria Registry.

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) can present with non-skin related symptoms (NSRS), including recurrent unexplained fever, joint, bone, or muscle pain (JBMP), and malaise, which also occur in other conditions that manifest with wheals (eg, urticarial vasculitis or autoinflammatory disorders) or without wheals (eg, infection). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the rate of patients with CSU affected by fever, JBMP, and malaise, their trigger factors, links with clinical and laboratory characteristics, and their impact on everyday life and treatment responses. METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from the Chronic Urticaria Registry of 2,521 patients with CSU who were aged 16 years or older. RESULTS: One third of CSU patients (31.2%; 786 of 2,521) had one or more NSRS, including recurrent fever (5.3%), JBMP (19.1%), and/or malaise (18.6%). In a multivariable analysis, having one or more of these NSRS correlated with food and infection as trigger factors of urticaria (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7 and 1.5), wheals of 24 hours or greater duration (aOR = 2.5), sleep disturbance (aOR = 2.4), anxiety (aOR = 2.8), comorbid atopic dermatitis (aOR = 2.1), gastrointestinal disease (aOR = 1.8), elevated leukocytes (aOR = 1.7) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (aOR = 1.5). In a bivariate analysis, these NSRS were additionally associated with higher disease activity (weekly Urticaria Activity Score, median: 21 vs 14; P = .009), longer disease duration (years, median: 2 vs 1; P = .001), the presence of angioedema (74.6% vs 58.7%; P < .001), worse quality of life (Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire, median: 42 vs 29; P < .001) and more frequent poor control of CSU (78% vs 69%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of NSRS in a subpopulation of patients with CSU points to the need for better control of the disease, exclusion of comorbid conditions, and/or exclusion of urticarial vasculitis and urticarial autoinflammatory diseases.

Prevalence of chronic urticaria: A study in the pediatric population of a general hospital. / Prevalencia de urticaria crónica: un estudio en población pediátrica de un hospital general.

Introduction. Chronic urticaria is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by the presence of evanescent wheals or angioedema that last for ≥ 6 weeks. Objective. To determine the prevalence of urticaria and describe its clinical characteristics in children and adolescents under 19 years of age in a general hospital. Population and methods. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between 2015 and 2020 in a population of children and adolescents seen at a private healthcare facility. Results. A total of 1567 medical records of patients with urticaria seen during the study period were reviewed. Thirty-six patients with chronic urticaria were identified; the prevalence was 0.16% (95% CI: 0.11-0.22). Conclusion. The prevalence of chronic urticaria in children and adolescents was 0.16%. A higher frequency was observed among girls and adolescents.

Introducción. La urticaria crónica es una afección inflamatoria de la piel caracterizada por presencia de habones evanescentes y/o angioedema, que ocurren durante un período ≥ 6 semanas. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de esta enfermedad y describir características clínicas en niños y adolescentes menores de 19 años de un hospital general. Población y métodos. Estudio corte transversal, realizado entre el 2015 y el 2020, en una población de niños y adolescentes de un sistema de salud privado. Resultados. Se revisaron 1567 historias clínicas de pacientes con urticaria atendidos durante el período de estudio. Se identificaron 36 pacientes con urticaria crónica; se estableció una prevalencia del 0,16 % (IC95% 0,11-0,22). Conclusión. La prevalencia de urticaria crónica en niños y adolescentes fue del 0,16 %. Se observó mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino y adolescentes.

Impact of Chronic Spontaneous or Inducible Urticaria on Occupational Activity.

The impact of chronic urticaria on work has been scarcely reported, whereas its peak incidence is between the ages of 20 and 40. The aim of this study was to assess the occupational impact of chronic urticaria and its treatment, by combining objective and patient-reported data. A monocentric observational study was performed using questionnaires over a 1-year period from 2021 to 2022 in chronic urticaria patients who were in a period of professional activity and agreed to participate. Of the 88 patients included, 55.7% assessed the occupational impact of their chronic urticaria as significant, and even more severe when chronic urticaria was poorly controlled. Some 86% of patients had symptoms at work, in a third of cases aggravated by work. However, occupational physical factors were not associated with an aggravation of inducible chronic urticaria. A total of 20% reported treatment-related adverse effects affecting their work. Despite low absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced productivity were important (> 20%). Six patients (6.8%) had difficulties keeping their work. For 72.7% of the patients, the occupational physician was not informed. The occupational impact of chronic urticaria should be discussed during consultations, particularly when it is insufficiently controlled. The occupational physician should be informed in order to support patients' professional project.

Comorbid Inducible Urticaria Is Linked to Non-Autoimmune Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: CURE Insights.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) can have comorbid inducible urticaria (CIndU). How comorbid CIndU affects patients and their CSU is largely unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare patients with CSU with and without comorbid CIndUs for differences in demographic features, clinical characteristics, and laboratory markers. METHODS: We analyzed 708 patients with CSU of our Urticaria Center of Reference and Excellence enrolled in CURE, the chronic urticaria registry. CURE data collected until October 2022 were used to compare patients with and without comorbid CIndU for their demographic characteristics, disease onset, activity, impact, and control, as well as concomitant allergic and autoimmune diseases and laboratory parameters associated with autoimmune CSU. RESULTS: Of 708 patients with CSU, 247 (35%) had comorbid CIndU. Compared with patients with standalone CSU, patients with CSU with comorbid CIndU were significantly younger, had earlier disease onset, longer disease duration, higher impact on quality of life, and a higher rate of concomitant allergic diseases. Moreover, patients with CSU with comorbid CIndU less often had features linked to autoimmune CSU such as angioedema, concomitant autoimmune diseases, eosinopenia, low levels of total IgE, and low total IgE combined with elevated anti-thyroid peroxidase IgG. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune CSU may be less common in patients with comorbid CIndU than without, and comorbid CIndU may point to autoallergic CSU.

A Case-Control Study Comparing the General Characteristics of Patients with Symptomatic Dermographism and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Is Atopy a Risk Factor for Symptomatic Dermographism?

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic dermographism (SDerm) is the most common chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) subtype. There is still limited information in the literature about clinical features, triggering factors, and accompanying comorbidities of SDerm. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features and laboratory data of patients with SDerm and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). METHODS: The clinical features and laboratory data of patients with SDerm and CSU were compared retrospectively. The laboratory data and general characteristic features of the patients were obtained from the medical records. RESULTS: The study included a total of 361 patients (CSU: 220, SDerm: 141). The rates of asthma (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79, p = 0.036), allergic rhinitis (OR: 6.03, p < 0.001), and thyroid disease (OR: 1.78, p = 0.039) were higher in patients with SDerm. The disease duration (median 12 months, p < 0.001) and regular antihistamine use (OR: 0.31, p < 0.001) were lower in patients with SDerm. Total IgE level (median: 193, p < 0.001), thyroid antibody positivity (OR: 1.93, p = 0.039), and atopy (OR: 8.81, p < 0.001) were higher in patients with SDerm. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (OR: 17.72, p < 0.001), Dermatophagoides farinae (OR: 17.20, p < 0.001), grass pollen (OR: 2.50, p < 0.026), cat epithelium (OR: 3.68, p < 0.023), and cockroach (OR: 4.93, p < 0.009) allergen positivity rates were higher in patients with SDerm. CONCLUSION: Atopic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis and the sensitization rate to aeroallergens seem to be higher in patients with SDerm than in patients with CSU. The results of this study should be supported by multicenter studies of patients from different geographical regions.

Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Who Have Wheals, Angioedema, or Both, Differ Demographically, Clinically, and in Response to Treatment-Results From CURE.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have spontaneous wheals (W), angioedema (AE), or both, for longer than 6 weeks. Clinical differences between patients with standalone W, standalone AE, and W and AE (W+AE) remain incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE: To compare W, AE, and W+AE CSU patients regarding demographics, disease characteristics, comorbidities, disease burden, and treatment response. METHODS: Baseline data from 3,698 CSU patients in the ongoing, prospective, international, multicenter, observational Chronic Urticaria REgistry (CURE) were analyzed (data cut: September 2022). RESULTS: Across all CSU patients, 59%, 36%, and 5% had W+AE, W, and AE, respectively. The W+AE patients, compared with W and AE patients, showed the lowest male-to-female ratio (0.33), higher rates of concomitant psychiatric disease (17% vs 11% vs 6%, respectively), autoimmune disease (13% vs 7% vs 9%, respectively), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity (9% vs 5% vs 2%, respectively) and the highest disease impact. The W patients, compared with W+AE and AE patients, showed the lowest rates of concomitant hypertension (15% vs 21% vs 40%, respectively) and obesity (11% vs 16% vs 17%, respectively), the highest rate of concomitant inducible urticaria (24% vs 22% vs 6%, respectively), and shorter W duration. The AE patients, compared with W+AE and W patients, were older at disease onset, showed longer AE duration, and the best response to increased doses of H1-antihistamines (58% vs 24% vs 31%, respectively) and omalizumab (92% vs 67% vs 60%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a better understanding of CSU phenotypes and may guide patient care and research efforts that aim to link them to pathogenic drivers.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria and metabolic syndrome: a relationship conundrum.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with low-grade inflammation. Despite intensive research and various hypothesis, there is lack of specific pathomechanisms of urticaria. Previous studies have suggested low-grade inflammation in obesity which may be linked to urticaria. However, there is limited literature on association of MetS and CSU. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the association of MetS and its components in patients with CSU. This was a hospital-based and cross-sectional cohort study in which 481 patients of CSU and 240 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited. MetS was defined using the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, plasma insulin, and lipid profile were measured after overnight fasting. Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to calculate significance. Logistic regression analysis was done to assess MetS as a predictor of CSU. All patients were started on antihistamines according to the severity of the disease. CSU patients comprised 220 men (45.7%) and 261 women (54.3%) with 97 patients (20.12%) qualifying criteria for metabolic syndrome compared with 73 (30.42%) controls without any significant difference (p = 0.177). CSU was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of central obesity (p = 0.003) but CSU patients with central obesity did not have a higher urticaria activity score (p = 0.727) or serum IgE levels (p = 0.359). In conclusion, our study found an increased association of central obesity with CSU that was not related to the severity of urticaria. This is of significance as obesity is the most prevalent and first component of MetS to be developed. There was no increase in the overall prevalence of MetS in patients with CSU. The increased association of obesity and urticaria in our study can be partially explained by the role of antihistamines in modulation of metabolic pathway and appetite. Future research into the same can give better insights and thus can aid in better management options in CSU patients.

Exacerbation of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination in Omalizumab-Treated Patients.

BACKGROUND: The rapid development and rollout of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to more than half of the world's population being vaccinated to date. Real-world data have reported various adverse cutaneous reactions, including delayed-onset urticaria, which was highly ranked as a common manifestation across studies. However, the impact of these novel mRNA or viral vector COVID-19 vaccines on preexisting chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the clinical status of patients with relatively stable CSU who are undergoing omalizumab treatment and to identify risk factors for exacerbation. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital. Adult patients with relatively stable CSU under regular omalizumab treatments who had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination were included. RESULTS: There were 105 study subjects who received 230 COVID-19 vaccinations between March and December 2021. Fifteen patients (14.3%) experienced aggravation of urticaria at least once after COVID-19 vaccination. The demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients were comparable regardless of the exacerbation of CSU. However, case-level analysis revealed that the presence of urticaria (vs none) before vaccination (odds ratio [OR] = 4.99; 95% CI, 1.57-15.82) and the development of systemic reactogenicity (OR = 4.57; 95% CI, 1.62-12.90) were associated with a higher risk for exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: The novel COVID-19 vaccination induced exacerbation in more than one-tenth of patients with well-controlled CSU. The establishment of a proper management strategy during COVID-19 vaccination is necessary for patients with CSU.

Risk Factors of Quality-Of-Life and Sexual Function Impairment in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Patients: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has been associated with poor quality of life and mood disturbances. However, factors associated with these dimensions have not been properly assessed. Moreover, there is a lack of studies regarding sexual dysfunction (SxD) and CSU. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess quality of life associated factors and to evaluate the prevalence and potential impact of SxD in patients with CSU. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of patients suffering from CSU. Sociodemographic and disease activity variables, quality of life, sleep, SxD, anxiety, and depression were collected using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were included, with a female-to-male ratio of 2.40. Female sex, worse disease control, and sexual dysfunction were associated with poor quality-of-life indexes (p < 0.001). SxD was detected in 52% of female and 63% of male patients. SxD was associated with poor disease control (p < 0.001). Female SxD, but not male, was associated with poorer quality of life (p = 0.02) and an increased risk for anxiety 85% and depression 90% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Female patients and those with an inadequate control of CSU are in higher risk of having poorer quality of life. SxD seems to be frequent in patients with CSU. Moreover, female SxD seems to have a more profound impact on quality of life and mood disturbances when compared to males. Assessment of SxD in Urticaria Clinic might be of benefit to identify patients at a higher risk of poor quality of life.

Pediatric chronic urticaria: Clinical and laboratory characteristics and factors linked to remission.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as the occurrence of wheals/angioedema for ≥6 consecutive weeks. Until now, guidelines and publications addressing CU have focused mainly on adults. As a result, evidence and guidance in the pediatric population are scarce. METHODS: This study aims to describe clinical and laboratory findings in pediatric CU and to determine factors associated with remission. RESULTS: 185 patients, 54% female, median age at onset of 8.8 years. Angioedema was present in almost half. The most common type of CU was chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in 74%. At least one atopic comorbidity was found in almost a third (35%). In addition, 8% had an autoimmune disorder (exclusively in CSU) and 9% had a psychiatric condition. Basopenia was found in 67% and was more frequently associated with CSU. The basophil activation test (BAT) was positive in 40%. With regard to remission, being of male sex, angioedema absence, the absence of physical triggers, and eosinophil counts >0.51 × 109 /L were associated with shorter CU duration. CONCLUSION: Atopy is a common condition in pediatric CU. CSU is the most common type. Autoimmune comorbidities and basopenia were significantly more common in CSU. In addition, ours is one of the few studies, assessing BAT utility in the pediatric population, being positive in a relevant percentage (40%). BAT positivity was more frequent in CSU. Our results suggest that the absence of angioedema and physical triggers, male sex, and eosinophil counts >0.51 × 109 /L appear to be associated with a better prognosis in terms of remission.

Risk of Atopic Disorders in Patients with Chronic Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) has been associated with several systemic and autoimmune disorders. The association with atopic disorders is however controversial. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between CU and the atopic disorders: atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). METHODS: Search hits from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically reviewed. English papers from 2000 to present, containing original data of the association (prevalence, incidence, or risk) between CU and any atopic disorder(s), were included. Pooled point prevalence and OR with 95% confidence intervals were calculated with a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 8,108 search hits were screened and reviewed. Thirty-eight studies met all inclusion criteria. The estimated pooled point prevalence of AD, asthma, and ARC in CU was 7% (5-11%, I2 = 99%), 12% (9-15%, I2 = 100%), and 22% (16-29%, I2 = 100%), respectively. Pooled ORs were estimated to 2.75 (2.05-3.68, I2 = 94%) for AD, 1.87 (1.01-3.45, I2 = 100%) for asthma, and 2.94 (1.84-4.68, I2 = 100%) for ARC. CONCLUSION: Pooled point prevalences of atopic disorders in CU were comparable to the general population. However, studies that compared prevalences with controls from the same population all found a significantly increased risk of atopic disorders in CU. Results should however be interpreted with caution as high heterogeneity was found in all analyses.