CLINICAL PROFILE AND QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC URTICARIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/yacvqm21Keywords:
Chronic urticaria, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Angioedema, Autologous serum skin test, Quality of lifeAbstract
In this cross-sectional study of 120 patients with chronic urticaria, the clinical profile demonstrated a substantial burden of disease activity and impairment in daily functioning. Moderate-to-severe disease activity, as measured by the Urticaria Activity Score over seven days (UAS7), was observed in approximately two-thirds of patients, indicating that a significant proportion experienced persistent and troublesome symptoms despite routine management. Recurrent wheals were the predominant clinical manifestation, while angioedema was present in a considerable subset of patients, further contributing to disease severity and patient discomfort. Several patients reported identifiable triggering factors, including food items, environmental exposures, infections, stress, and medication-related triggers, although trigger patterns varied considerably among individuals. The autologous serum skin test (ASST), used as a marker of autoimmune involvement, was positive in a proportion of cases, supporting the role of autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria for a subset of affected patients. Assessment of health-related quality of life using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) revealed marked impairment across multiple domains, including daily activities, work productivity, social interactions, sleep quality, and emotional well-being. Many patients reported frustration, embarrassment, anxiety, and reduced confidence due to the unpredictable and recurrent nature of the disease. Statistical analysis demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between disease activity and quality-of-life impairment (r ≈ 0.55), indicating that patients with higher UAS7 scores experienced substantially greater disruption in physical, psychological, and social functioning. These findings highlight the multidimensional impact of chronic urticaria beyond its visible cutaneous manifestations and emphasize the importance of comprehensive patient assessment. Effective management should therefore incorporate not only symptom control and reduction of disease activity but also routine evaluation of quality-of-life outcomes. An individualized, patient-centred treatment approach guided by both clinical activity measures and quality-of-life assessments may improve overall disease control, treatment satisfaction, and long-term patient outcomes.
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