Background
Chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by the recurrence of itchy hives and/or angioedema for more than 6 weeks. AWARE (A World-wide Antihistamine-Refractory Chronic Urticaria Patient Evaluation) is a multinational study designed to document the real-life treatment situation, burden of disease and clinical resource usage of H1-antihistamine-refractory CU patients.

Objective
To examine baseline data from Scandinavian AWARE patients.

Methods
AWARE is a prospective, non-interventional, multinational, umbrella design study, which includes adults (≥18 years) with a confirmed CU diagnosis (>2 months) that is refractory to H1-antihistamines. Baseline patient characteristics, disease activity (urticaria control test [UCT]), pharmacological treatment, comorbidities and healthcare usage were documented by the treating physician. Quality of life (QoL; dermatology life quality index [DLQI]; chronic urticaria quality of life questionnaire [CU-Q2oL; Danish patients only]) and work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) scores were also assessed.

Results
Overall, 158 CU patients from seven centres in Denmark (n = 80), Norway (n = 50) and Sweden (n = 28) were included in this baseline analysis. Mean age and BMI were 40.3 years and 26.5 kg/m2, respectively. The majority of patients were female (69.6%), had uncontrolled CU (75.6%; UCT score <12) and had a ‘spontaneous’ component to their CU (61.4% CSU; 20.3% both CSU and chronic inducible urticaria). Common comorbidities included asthma (19.6%), allergic rhinitis (16.5%) and food allergies (8.2%). Overall, 60.1% of patients reported using treatments for CU including non-sedative H1-antihistamines (40.5%), corticosteroids (19%), montelukast (14.6%) and omalizumab (8.2%). Pharmacological treatment rates increased to 96.2% during the baseline visit. On average, patient QoL was moderately affected (mean DLQI score 7.7) and healthcare resource usage was high.

Conclusion
Adult Scandinavian H1-antihistamine-refractory CU patients reported high rates of healthcare usage and QoL impairment. Rates of pharmacological treatment use were low before study enrolment but increased to almost 100% during the baseline visit.

Chronic urticaria in the real‐life clinical practice setting in Sweden, Norway and Denmark: baseline results from the non‐interventional multicentre AWARE study

Epidemiology and comorbidities of patients with chronic urticaria in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study.

Background
Emerging evidence suggests that chronic urticaria (CU) is associated with chronic, low grade, inflammatory process.

Objective
To evaluate the association between CU and metabolic syndrome and its components in a large community-based medical database.

Methods
A cross-sectional study of CU patients and matched controls was performed. CU was defined as eight urticaria diagnoses (with each two diagnoses registered within a period of six weeks) from 2002 to 2012. Data regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, its components, and possible complications were collected.

Results
The study included 11,261 patients with CU and 67,216 controls. In a univariate analysis, CU was significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, chronic renal failure, and gout. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between CU and metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p < 0.001) and its components- obesity (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, p < 0.001), diabetes (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15, p = 0.001), hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p < 0.001), and hypertension (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
CU patients may have one or more undiagnosed components of metabolic syndrome despite their young age. Thus, appropriate targeted screening is advised.

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Chronic urticaria and the metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional community-based study of 11 261 patients.

Data on the clinical burden of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and economic consequences are lacking in France. To characterize the clinical and economic burden of CSU in symptomatic patients despite treatment by analysing data of French patients from the ASSURE-CSU study. ASSURE-CSU was an international observational study that included CSU patients with symptoms that lasted for 12 months or more despite treatment. Disease characteristics and healthcare resource use were obtained from medical records. Data on disease history, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and work productivity were collected from a patient survey. A total of 101 patients were analysed (76.2% female; mean age: 48.9 years) with moderate to severe disease (UAS7 score ≥16) in 43.4% and angioedema in 72.3%. The mean (S.D.) total scores of Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life (CU-Q2oL) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were 37.7 (22.3) and 9.7 (6.9), respectively, thus indicating a significant impact of the disease on HR-QoL. Mean absenteeism and presenteeism were 6.4% and 20.8%, respectively, with a mean loss of work productivity estimated at 20.7%. The mean (S.D.) total direct cost of CSU was €2,397 per patient per year and was mainly driven by therapies (€1,435) and inpatient costs (€859). The indirect costs for four weeks were mainly presenteeism (€421) and loss of work productivity (€420). CSU significantly impairs HR-QoL, which increases with the severity of the disease. The direct and indirect costs for the management of symptomatic CSU are an important economic burden.

The burden of chronic spontaneous urticaria: unsatisfactory treatment and healthcare resource utilization in France (the ASSURE-CSU study)

BACKGROUND/AIMS Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the joints and it is known to be associated with cardiovascular morbidity. However, the association between RA and stroke among different age groups has not been explored. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between RA and stroke in different age strata. METHODS Cross-sectional study, utilizing the database of Israel's largest healthcare provider. The proportion of stroke was compared between patients diagnosed with RA and age- and gender-matched controls. The study sample was divided into 2 age groups: young (≤65 years) and elderly (>65 years). Multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS The study included 11,782 RA patients and 57,973 age- and gender-matched controls. RA patients, primarily young, had more cardiovascular risk factors than controls. Stroke rates were significantly elevated among young RA patients in comparison with controls (3.74 vs. 2.20%, respectively, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, RA was found to be independently associated with stroke (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09-1.28). CONCLUSION RA is independently associated with stroke, especially among RA patients under 65 years, for whom cardiovascular risk factors were more prominent. Physicians should advise RA patients to manage their risk factors strictly.

Alexandra Nathan

Papers

Healthcare Services Utilization and Drug Use in Patients with Chronic Urticaria

Quadricuspid Aortic Valve Presenting with Sudden Cardiac Death.