Stress, itch and quality of life in chronic urticaria females

Abstract

Chronic urticaria patients demonstrated a significantly higher stress level in comparison to the control group (<i>z</i> = 2.699; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Regarding the total pruritus score, all CU-Q2oL dimensions were affected, except for subscale swelling/mental status. The strongest link was revealed between global itch and QoL subscale embarrassment (<i>r</i> = 0.51, <i>p</i> < 0.001). There were also statistically significant correlations between stress (VAS scale and SRRS) and QoL (all at least <i>p</i> < 0.05).Conclusions: Taking into account the significant pruritus contribution to QoL impairment, it would be worth employing itch-coping trainings in the CU group. As a consequence, feeling of self-control and self-efficacy could be enhanced, thus resulting in the well-being improvement.