Assessing quality of life with urticaria activity score in chronic urticaria patients

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the scores of the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Scale (CuQ2oL) and the Urticaria Activity Score and their relationship with sociodemographic features and illness duration in patients with chronic urticaria. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 81 patients with diagnosis of Chronic Urticaria, study setting was Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Dermatology Outpatient Clinic and the period was 01 May 2020 - 30 November 2020. Participants completed the Sociodemographic Data Collection Questionnaire, the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Seven-Day Urticaria Activity Score. Data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 23.0 package program. The level of significance was set as p<0,05. Results: Of 81 patients, 54 (66.7%) were female and 27 (33.3%) were male; the mean age was 41.43 ± 14.15 years. The mean scores of the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CuQ2oL) and the Seven-Day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) questionnaire were 51.54 ± 11.72 and 10.21 ± 10.96, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the scores of the CuQ2oL questionnaire and the UAS7 score (r = 0.477) (p <0.001). The total score (p = 0.016) in the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Scale (CU-Q2oL), 'Sleep problems and mental status' (p = 0.010), 'Limitations / Look' (p = 0.010) and 'Eating / Sports' (p = 0.023) subgroups were significantly higher in females compared to scores of males. Conclusion: In our study, a correlation was found between the scores of the CuQ2oL questionnaire and subgroups and the scores of the UAS7. Further studies are needed to show a more homogeneous distribution. It is essential to assess the patients with chronic urticaria especially in terms of psychiatric comorbidities and socioeconomic status. Family physicians are in a unique position to consult patients in terms of biopsychosocial, cultural and existential aspects and to provide patient education and patient empowerment especially to avoid triggers and prevention using the continuity of family medicine discipline.