Chronic spontaneous urticaria: A questionnaire survey

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is urticaria persisting for more than 6 weeks with no identifiable provoking cause and associated with significant disability. Objectives: The aim of this study was to survey patients with CSU with a view to establishing prognosis, efficacy of treatments, suspected causality, and effects on lifestyle. Methods: One hundred seventy-four patients with CSU were seen between 2003 and 2013. A questionnaire was sent to all, and 101 participated. Results: The ratio of female to male participants was 4:1. The mean age of onset was 36 years. The average duration of symptoms was 8.8 years, with a range of 0.33 to 55 years. Seven percent of participants had autoimmune thyroiditis, and another 17% had various other autoimmune diseases. Common symptoms were pruritus, disturbed sleep, and anxiety. Slightly more than 70% had missed work or school. Most were frustrated at the lack of efficacy of treatments. Conclusions: CSU is frequently associated with a history of autoimmune diseases. It may persist for decades and causes significant disruption to lifestyle.