Impact of Chronic Urticaria on Quality of Life in a Tertiary Level Hospital in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Most healthcare providers recognize that urticaria is frequently difficult to treat but many do not realize the substantial negative impact, chronic urticarial (CU) has on patient’s quality of life (QoL). The questionnaire specifically developed to measure health related quality of life in chronic urticaria is the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life (CU-Q2oL) questionnaire. This questionnaire has helped to define the effects and impact on patients.

Objective: To assess the impact of chronic urticaria on quality of life at tertiary level hospital in Nepal.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, over a period of one year involving 230 patients in the study. A detailed history along with the complete cutaneous examination was carried out in all patients.

Results: All the 230 patients (100%) had symptoms of wheals and pruritus while eye swelling and lip swelling was present only in 20% and 25% respectively. Highest Mean scores were seen of pruritus (4.34) and wheals (4.29). Highest mean score was achieved by domain of pruritus (4.31) followed by domain of sleep (2.31), life activities (2.22), limits (2.05), looks (1.76) and swelling (1.4).

Conclusion: Chronic Urticaria impacts the quality of life by affecting various aspects in patient’s life. CU-Q2oL questionnaire could reveal the involvement of various such aspects, which were seldom realized by the patients themselves. Patients had worst quality of life with symptoms of pruritus and wheals.