Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Urticaria among adults and Children

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to describe the different epidemiologic and clinical features of urticaria in adult and pediatric population. Background: Allergic urticaria is one of commonest skin disorders that can be met in clinical practice. It can be classified as acute or chronic based on symptoms duration. It might be associated with allergic angioedema as well. Methods: In this study 202 patients with urticaria from the out-patient clinic of rheumatology and dermatology in Menoufia university hospital and pediatric allergy unit, Ain Shams university hospital. All patient were subjected to detailed medical history taking and clinical examination. Laboratory assessment included serum immunoglobulin E, antinuclear antibodies, Anti thyroid antibodies and H-pylori antigen in stool. Results: We enrolled 131 patients with acute urticaria (97 adult and 34 pediatric) with 66.4% female and 40.5% had associated allergic angiedema. There were additional 71 patients with chronic urticaria (50 adults and 21 children) with 78.9% female. There was no significant statistical difference between acute and chronic urticaria as regard age, sex, associated allergies, family history of allergy, but there was significant statistical difference between acute and chronic urticaria as regard triggers. About 94.7% with acute urticaria and 88.7% of chronic urticaria had itching. There was significant statistical difference between adults and pediatric with acute urticaria as regard response to antihistamines. Conclusion: Acute and chronic urticaria present in both adult and pediatric with female predominance. Drug trigger was the most common in both acute and chronic urticaria followed by physical agents, food.