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. 2021 Nov-Dec;66(6):705.
doi: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_446_21.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Chronic Urticaria and Adherence to Management Guidelines by Postgraduate Students in Dermatology: A Retrospective Single Center Study

Sainath Reddy  1 , Isheeta Manchanda  1 , Kiran Godse  1 , Anant D Patil  2
Affiliations

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Chronic Urticaria and Adherence to Management Guidelines by Postgraduate Students in Dermatology: A Retrospective Single Center Study

Sainath Reddy et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2021 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Chronic urticaria is a heterogenous skin disorder representing one of the important reasons for consultation with a dermatologist. Dermatology post-graduate students play an importanrt role in the treatment of patients with chronic urticaria.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe clinical characteristics of patients with chronic urticaria and assess adherence to the guidelines by postgraduate students in the department of dermatology of a tertiary care center.

Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, prescriptions of patients with chronic urticaria and/or angioedema presenting to the outpatient department for 5 months were analyzed. Percentage of prescriptions adhering to international urticaria management guidelines was calculated. Urticaria Activity Score, percentage of patients receiving second-generation antihistamines, first-generation antihistamines, and other drugs was recorded. Comorbidities in patients with chronic urticaria were also noted.

Results: A total of 60 patients (mean age 32.1 years; 58.3% male) were included in. Mean (SD) duration of urticaria at the time of study was 4.7 (2.7) months. Demographism and history of allergy to drugs was present in 45 (75%) and 4 (6.7%) patients. Mean (SD) Urticaria Activity Score was 12.5 (6.5). A total of 12 (20%) patients had comorbidities. Mean number of drugs received per patient was 1.7 (0.5). A total of 47 (78.3%) patients received second-generation antihistamines, whereas 11 (18.3%) received first-generation antihistamines. Two (3.3%) patients received combination of first-generation and second-generation antihistamines. Fexofenadine, levocetirizine, bilastine, and cetirizine was prescribed to 24 (40%), 26 (43.3%), 18 (30%), and 14 (23.3%) patients. There was no significant difference in male and female patients receiving fexofenadine (P = 0.59) or levocetirizine (P = 0.13).

Conclusion: Adherence to urticaria management guidelines by resident doctors in dermatology department in our institute was satisfactory.

Keywords: Antihistamine; first-line therapy; steroids; urticaria guideline.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comorbidities in patients with chronic urticaria
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prescriptions of first-generation and second-generation antihistamines
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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