[Useful tools for documenting urticaria]

Abstract

Urticaria is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases. Many patients suffer for many years of the subtypes of urticaria. Because of their symptoms, urticaria patients have a very low quality of life and are subject to comorbidities. A structured approach with validated evaluation tools helps (1) to diagnose the respective subtype of the disease, (2) to define the disease activity and (3) to analyze the impact on quality of life. By virtue of this, it is possible to adequately diagnose and manage urticaria patients without major investment of time or manpower. Tools to measure disease intensity (urticaria activity score, angioedema activity score) and questionnaires for quality of life in the cases of chronic urticaria and angioedema have been developed. Suspected diagnoses of comorbidity such as depression or anxiety can be confirmed by the appropriate questionnaire (Hamilton Anxiety Depression Scale [HADS]). In addition diagnostic instruments are helpful to define the intensity of the disease, especially in cases of inducible urticaria. All these forms, scores and questionnaires are easy to learn and employ in daily practice.