IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION AND SARS-COV-2 VACCINATION ON THE COURSE OF CHRONIC URTICARIA

Abstract. Introduction. According to its definition, urticaria refers to a group of diseases characterized by the development of wheals, angioedema, or both. Most often, chronic urticaria is triggered by stress, hormonal drugs, consumption of products containing food colorants, preservatives, gastrointestinal diseases, autoimmune pathology, as well as by infections, including COVID-19. Due to the fact that the coronavirus epidemic set on relatively recently, the effect of this virus, as well as of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, on the course of chronic urticaria has not been studied in sufficient detail. Aim. Evaluation of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccination on the course of chronic urticaria. Materials and Methods. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccination on the course of chronic urticaria was assessed in 100 patients from 2021 to 2023, using the questionnaire developed and the UCT questionnaire. Patients aged 39±15 years participated in the survey. Results and Discussion. The duration of chronic urticaria in most respondents (58%) was more than 2 years, and in only 7% less than a year. According to the UCT results, urticaria symptoms were controlled in 67% of patients before the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. 64 people recovered from COVID-19; however, exacerbation of urticaria associated with SARS-CoV-2 was observed in 35.9% of patients, while the disease onset was found in 3.1% of them. It should be noted that exacerbation of urticaria developed during COVID-19 persisted in all patients for 3 months, and in a half of them for 6 months after the infection. 67 patients were vaccinated against COVID-19: 63 with Gam-COVID-Vac and 4 with CoviVac, while immunoprophylaxis was not recommended for 15 patients due to their uncontrolled urticaria. 23.8% patients vaccinated with Gam-COVID-Vac experienced fever and headache on the first day. Only 8% of patients experienced exacerbation of urticaria. Conclusions. Patients with chronic urticaria usually have a mild form of COVID-19. However, SARS-CoV-2 causes exacerbation or onset of urticaria in 35.9% of cases. Vaccination with Gam-COVID-Vac is well tolerated by patients with chronic urticaria, and only 8% of patients experience exacerbation of the disease.