A REVIEW ON: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC URTICARIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Recurrent pruritic wheals, angioedema, or both that last for six weeks or longer are the hallmarks of chronic urticaria (CU), a long-standing dermatological disorder. Patients' quality of life (QOL) is negatively affected by the disease's chronic and unpredictable character, which causes severe physical discomfort and major impairment in their psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Objective: This study was carried out to describe the clinical features of patients with chronic urticaria, understand how the condition affects their quality of life, and examine the relationship between disease severity and quality of life in a tertiary care setting. Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving patients diagnosed with chronic urticaria who attended a tertiary care hospital. Information on demographic details and clinical features was collected in a structured manner. Disease severity was measured using the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), which assesses the number of wheals and the intensity of itching. Quality of life was evaluated using the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL). Statistical analysis was used to explore the association between disease severity and quality of life. Results: Chronic urticaria was more commonly seen in adult women. Itching and recurrent wheals were the most frequent symptoms, and many patients also reported episodes of angioedema. The condition had a considerable negative effect on quality of life, especially in areas such as sleep, daily activities, emotional health, and social functioning. Patients with higher UAS scores showed significantly worse CU-Q2oL scores, indicating that more severe disease was linked to greater impairment in quality of life. Conclusion: Chronic urticaria affects patients well beyond its physical symptoms, leading to a significant reduction in quality of life. Regular assessment of both disease activity and quality of life using standardized tools is important for providing comprehensive care and improving overall patient outcomes.