The global burden of chronic urticaria for the patient and society*
Margarida Gonçalo, Ana Giménez, Mona Al‐Ahmad, Moshe Ben‐Shoshan, Jonathan A. Bernstein, Luís Felipe Ensina, Daria Fomina, César A. Galván, Kiran Godse, Clive Grattan, Michihiro Hide, Constance H. Katelaris, Maryam Khoshkhui, Emek Kocatürk, Kanokvalai Kulthanan, Iris Medina, Iman Nasr, Jonny Peter, Petra Staubach, Liangchun Wang, Karsten Weller, Marcus Maurer
Abstract
-antihistamine-resistant patients. Here we review the impact of CU on different aspects of patients' quality of life and the burden of this chronic disease for the patient and society. CU may have a strong impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly when CSU is associated with angio-oedema and/or CIndU (Dermatology Life Quality Index > 10 in 30% of patients). Comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, which are present in more than 30% of patients with CSU, compound HRQoL impairment. Severe pruritus and the unpredictable occurrence of weals and angio-oedema are responsible for sleep disorders; sexual dysfunction; limitations on daily life, work and sports activities; interfering with life within the family and in society; and patients' performance at school and work (6% absenteeism and 25% presenteeism). Apart from treatment costs, with annual values between 900 and 2400 purchasing power parity dollars (PPP$) in Europe and the USA, CU is associated with a high consumption of medical resources and other indirect costs, which may reach a total annual cost of PPP$ 15 550.