COVID 19 - IMPACT ON MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC URTICARIA

This observational study, conducted at two medical centers in Turkey, assessed the impact of factors related to the pandemic on the severity and course of chronic urticaria.

A total of 194 patients with chronic urticaria who were regularly followed up in a hospital clinic were included. Disease activity was assessed using the weekly urticaria activity index (UAS7) and the urticaria control test (UCT). The patients were divided into two subgroups, one of patients who presented worsening of chronic urticaria and the other of patients who did not present worsening of the case. There was a comparison of demographic, clinical data and parameters associated with the pandemic, and parameters related to the impact of the pandemic on the control of chronic urticaria.

The results indicated that among the group of patients whose condition worsened, the use of omalizumab was statistically higher and the use of systemic corticosteroids was statistically lower. It was reported that 89.2% of patients were unable to contact the dermatologists during the pandemic and that 25.8% did not continue the treatment prescribed before the pandemic. Two patients had COVID-19, in one of them the chronic urticaria had worsened while in the other the condition remained stable.

The authors concluded that patients with chronic urticaria, especially those undergoing treatment with omalizumab, found it difficult to maintain treatment during the pandemic. They suggested that new treatment models, as well as the more frequent use of teledermatology, could benefit patients affected by this devastating condition.

Erdem Y, Polat Ekinci A, Altunay IK, Sivaz O, Inal S, Gokalp MO, Pehlivan G, Özkaya E. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the management of patients with chronic urticaria: an observational two-center study from Turkey. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Dec 10. doi: 10.1111/dth.14652. Online ahead of print.