554 Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (Cu-Q2 Ol) and Urticaria Activity Score (Uas)

Abstract

BackgroundChronic urticaria (CU) is a disease defined by the presence of wheals and itching for more than 6 weeks. Depending on its severity, it may impair the patients’ quality of life (QOL). The questionnaire Cu-Q2oL designed by Dr. Walter Canonica's group, specifically evaluates quality of life in patients with chronic urticaria (CU-Q2oL); in Spanish it has been validated by Dr. Valero, et al.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate if there is an association between severity of chronic urticaria and quality of life of patients in our service, using the questionnaires: CU-Q2oL and urticaria activity score (UAS).MethodsUniverse: Consecutive patients with chronic urticaria who answered the questionnaires CUQ2OL and UAS. Diagnosis of CU was based on a detailed history, physical examination, laboratory studies and autologous serum skin test (ASST) for Autoimmune Urticaria (UCAI). Spearman's Rho correlation coefficient was calculated between Severity (UAS) and Quality of Life (CUQ2OL). Comparisons between groups were performed using chi square and One-way ANOVA.Results50 patients, (82% women, mean age 41 years) were included. The largest etiology group was Autoimmune: 60% of cases; A direct linear relationship between the severity of and quality of life was found to be statistically significant (r2 0.511, P < 0.0001). A greater severity was generally reported in the autoimmune group.ConclusionsPatients with more severe urticaria, particularly with major complaints of itching and sleep loss, have a lower quality of life, especially those patients with autoimmune urticaria. We found a good correlation between both questionnaires, so in the future clinicians may anticipate that patients diagnosed with moderate or severe chronic urticaria might have a considerable drop in their quality of life, and therefore their management and follow-up should be viewed holistically.