Urticaria Voices: Real-World Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Jonathan A. Bernstein, Tonya Winders, Jessica McCarthy, Pallavi Saraswat, Nadine Chapman‐Rothe, Tara Raftery, Karsten Weller
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is characterized by itchy wheals/hives and/or angioedema lasting longer than 6 weeks. Herein, we describe patients' perspectives from the global Urticaria Voices study reporting treatment patterns, disease burden, treatment satisfaction, and expectations. METHODS: This global, cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February to September 2022 in patients with CSU. Eligible patients had a self-reported clinician-provided diagnosis of CSU. Data were analyzed descriptively and reported as percentages (n/N), means (standard deviation [SD]), or 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Overall, 582 patients with CSU were included in this analysis (62% women; mean [SD] age: 42.0 [11.9] years). At the time of the survey, patients reported taking 2.9 (2.6) concomitant therapies; most patients (79%) were prescribed H1-antihistamines (H1-AH), of which 42% took first-generation H1-AH and 52% took second-generation H1-AH. Since the initiation of their first prescribed treatment (6.3 [8.2] years), 80% of patients reported H1-AH switching (2.3 times on average), 62% of whom reported up-dosing (2.9 times on average). In addition, 50% reported currently using glucocorticoids (cream: 72.1%; oral: 48.3%; injection: 25.5%) and 33% reported using any biologic (omalizumab: 26%; dupilumab: 16%): montelukast (18%), doxepin (16%), or ciclosporin (16%). Apart from their prescribed treatments, patients reported currently using additional services (dietetic consultations: 21%, psychological support: 19%) and self-care strategies (e.g., using topical creams, avoiding certain clothing and foods) for CSU management. Most patients (65%) reported that their current treatments did not adequately control their CSU symptoms. Overall, 37% of patients reported experiencing stress due to the unpredictable nature of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Despite H1-antihistamine switching and up-dosing, most patients (84%) had inadequately controlled disease. Approximately one-quarter of inadequately controlled patients were escalated to more effective treatments such as biologics. These results suggest a need for additional treatment options for patients with inadequately controlled CSU to provide sustained symptom relief.