The burden of chronic urticaria: French baseline data from the international real-life AWARE study

• Published in: EJD. European journal of dermatology Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 49 - 54
• Main Authors: Guillet, Gérard, Bécherel, Pierre-André, Pralong, Pauline, Delbarre, Marielle, Outtas, Omar, Martin, Laurent, Pelvet, Berengère, Gharbi, Hakam, Giordano-Labadie, Françoise
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris JLE Éditions 01.01.2019; John Libbey Eurotext
• Subjects: Clinical Report; Dermatology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; angioedema; chronic inducible urticaria; H1-antihistamines; quality of life; chronic spontaneous urticaria; h1-antihistamines
• ISSN: 1167-1122; 1952-4013; 1952-4013
• DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2018.3495

Abstract Background: The AWARE study is an ongoing international study of patients with chronic urticaria refractory to H1-antihistamines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the burden of disease and the use of healthcare resources in real-life conditions. Objectives: To analyse the baseline data of French patients included in the AWARE study. Materials & Methods: AWARE is a prospective, non-interventional, international study that includes adult patients who have had chronic urticaria, refractory to at least one H1-antihistamine, for at least two months. Results: Ninety-four patients (mean age: 47.9 years; 71.3% women) with chronic urticaria (50.0% spontaneous only, 9.6% inducible only, and 40.4% both) were included in French centres. The median duration from diagnosis was three years and angioedema was present in 31.5% of patients for the past six months. In 63.8% of cases, the patients received at least one treatment for urticaria (H1-antihistamine for 66.0%). Chronic urticaria was poorly controlled (UCT score <12) in 88.9% of patients and quality of life was severely impaired (mean DLQI score: 8.6). The use of healthcare resources was significant with frequent visits to general practitioners (80.8% of patients; mean: 8.1 visits). However, more than half of patients had not previously consulted a dermatologist. Conclusion: These baseline data of French patients in the AWARE study show that patients suffering from chronic urticaria, refractory to H1-antihistamines for a median of three years, are insufficiently treated and that their quality of life is impaired. Despite the significant use of healthcare resources, access to specialised consultations remains insufficient.