Epidemiology of Urticaria in Poland - Nationally Representative Survey Results

Overview

Journal Postepy Dermatol Alergol

Publisher Termedia

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2018 Mar 31

PMID 29599674

Citations 7

Authors

Filip Raciborski

Anna Klak

Magdalena Czarnecka-Operacz

Dorota Jenerowicz

Adam Sybilski

Piotr Kuna

Boleslaw Samolinski

Eup Wg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of urticaria is 15-20%. Women are twice as likely to be affected.

Aim: To present the epidemiology of urticaria and angioedema in Poland.

Material And Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on a representative group of 4,897 individuals, aged 15-74 years.

Results: A total of 11.2% of respondents reported at least one episode of urticaria symptoms in their life, and the frequency was higher in females (OR = 1.46; < 0.001). Single episodes accounted for 34.8%, while repeated episodes accounted for 65.2%. Acute urticaria was observed in 10.6% (more frequent in females; OR = 1.41; < 0.001), chronic in 0.6%. Median age of the first episode was 15 years. Angioedema was observed in 3.2%. The last episode of urticaria symptoms and/or angioedema occurred within the previous week in 0.7% of subjects, the last month in 1%, and the last year in 2.2%. 8.8% had experienced urticaria symptoms or angioedema over 1 year prior to the survey. The impact of urticaria symptoms on patients' daily activities was rated with 3.8 points on a scale of 0-10. In addition, chronic urticaria was rated 6.5, and acute urticaria 3.6. Angioedema and urticaria had a negative impact of 5.7 points.

Conclusions: Urticaria and angioedema are serious health problems in Poland, although their prevalence is below the mean rate for the global population. Females are more likely to suffer from these diseases. People affected by urticaria most frequently report contact with plants and substances, insect bites/stings, and food as the provoking factors.

Citing Articles

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PMID: 40072594 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-025-04051-y.

Investigating the association of atopy and aeroallergen sensitization and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

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Jadhav R, Alcala E, Sirota S, Capitman J Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(7).

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Prevalence and potential risk factors of urticaria in the Polish population of children and adolescents.

Mazur M, Czarnobilska M, Czarnobilska E Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020; 37(5):785-789.

PMID: 33240021 PMC: 7675094. DOI: 10.5114/ada.2020.100489.

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