Asia Pac Allergy.  2011 Apr;1(1):25-29. 10.5415/apallergy.2011.1.1.25.

Impact of chronic urticaria on the quality of life in Australian and Sri Lankan populations

• Yun J
• Katelaris
• Weerasinghe A
• Adikari DB
• Ratnayake

• KMID: 2397142
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2011.1.1.25

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) has a significant impact on patients' quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to assess that impact and to compare differences by culture, gender, age or duration of treatment.
METHODS
We used the modified chronic urticaria quality of life questionnaire, consisting of 15 questions. Over the course of 6 months, patients attending Immunology clinics at Campbelltown Hospital and private rooms in Australia and at the faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka were asked to fill out the questionnaires. We have obtained the data from 125 patients (43 Australian vs. 82 Sri Lankan). There were significantly more female patients (P < 0.01). The data was analysed using SAS.
RESULTS
Overall, patients were affected mostly by itch and wheals and least affected by the side effects of treatments. Sri Lankan populations were more affected by wheals and by interference on activities, mood and food choices but were less affected by tiredness due to sleep disturbances (P < 0.01). Females were more affected by sleep disturbance (P < 0.05) while those older than 40 years of age were more impacted by tiredness and by the side effects from medications (P < 0.05), though the complaints themselves were mild. Those who suffered from CIU for more than 1 year were more affected by wheal, tiredness and irritability (P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The questionnaire highlighted some differences between patients attending Australian versus Sri Lankan outpatients. Significant differences were found in one third of parameters which include mood, sleep, daily activities and food choices.

Keyword

Chronic urticaria; Quality of life; Australian population; Sri Lankan population; Cultural differences

MeSH Terms

Allergy and Immunology
Australia
Female
Humans
Outpatients
Patients' Rooms
Quality of Life*
Sri Lanka
Urticaria*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The self-administered questionnaire had four sections; personal details, practical problems, activities and mood. Respondents answered questions in the practical problems, activities and mood sections by selecting one of seven responses: not affected (score = 0), hardly affected at all (1), slightly affected (2), moderately affected (3), quite a bit affected (4), very affected (5) or extremely affected (6).

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