Evaluation of the Quality of life in patients with chronic urticaria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic urticaria on the quality of life in patients referred to Tooba allergic clinic and Bou Ali Sina Hospital in sari.

This cross sectional study was performed on 155 Patients with chronic urticaria referred to Tooba allergic clinic and Bou Ali Sina Hospital in sari during 2013. A standard questionnaire based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) included demographic characteristics, criteria of the disease and various questions related to chronic urticaria was selected. Each question had five items included: always, often, sometimes, just a little and not at all. Then each item was scored between 0-4 respectively. The total score was calculated from 0 to 100. The worst score of quality of life was considered 100 and the best quality of life scored zero.

Out of total 155 cases, 132 were enrolled in which 99 (75%) were female subjects and 33 patients (25 %) were male (female to male ratio, 3 to 1). Seventy nine (60%) had degree of diploma or a bachelor of science. Most of the patients were married (87 people) and 58 of the patients were housekeepers. The numbers of lesions were often between 1 and 10 in 55 cases (42%). Daily living activities were the worst among patients under the age of 20 years, and the best daily activities belonged to the patients older than 40 years. While more severe disease was associated with worse quality of life.

This study showed that chronic urticaria in some aspects of quality of life of patients affected and the disease is more severe the situation is getting worse every day thoughts and activities.