Epidemiology of urticaria in Spain.

TLDR

Chronic urticaria prevalence in adults has not been defined by population‑based studies, despite its common occurrence. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and demographic distribution of chronic urticaria and to describe the frequency of acute episodes in the Spanish adult population. A population‑based survey of 5,003 Spanish adults, with a conservatively calculated sample size, was conducted to assess urticaria prevalence. The prevalence of chronic urticaria was 0.6 % (95 % CI 0.4–0.8), higher in women (OR 3.82), with 8.7 % lasting 1–5 years and 11.3 % >5 years, and an average onset age of 40 years.

Abstract

In spite of the frequency of chronic urticaria there are very few epidemiological studies of its prevalence and distribution.We wanted to approach the real prevalence of chronic urticaria in a population-based study and to depict demographic distribution and personal perception of the disease. We also wanted to describe the frequency of acute urticaria episodes in the population studied.We conducted a population-based study among adults in Spain. We questioned 5003 individuals after calculating a sample size for a maximum variability (conservative approach p=q=0.5).We found a 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4-0.8) prevalence of chronic urticaria. The prevalence is significantly higher in women than in men with a OR=3.82 (95%CI 1.56-9.37). Chronic urticaria is a self-limited disease, yet in 8.7% of cases chronic urticaria lasts from one to 5 years and in 11.3%, for more than 5 years. The average age of onset is 40 years.We offer large epidemiology study data on the prevalence of chronic urticaria. The prevalence of chronic urticaria has not yet been defined in an adult population-based study. With this work we offer such data to describe the prevalence and features of this disease.