D1.292 - Assessing Quality of Life in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Insights from DLQI Scores

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a debilitating dermatological condition that profoundly disrupts patients' quality of life (QoL). The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) serves as an indispensable metric for quantifying the psychosocial and functional toll of skin diseases. This study delves into the QoL impact of CSU, scrutinizing the interplay between DLQI scores and variables such as disease severity, duration, age, gender, prior consultations, and endotype classifications.

Sixty-three CSU patients formed the study cohort. Comprehensive demographic and clinical profiles—including disease duration, Urticaria Activity Scores (UAS), prior doctor visits, and endotype categorizations—were meticulously gathered. DLQI scores stratified QoL impact into five escalating categories: no effect, small, moderate, very large, and extremely large. Statistical tools, including linear regression models, were employed to unearth correlations between DLQI scores and contributing factors.

The participants, averaging 33.5 years of age, predominantly reported a "very large" QoL impairment (63%), while smaller fractions noted moderate, extremely large, or small effects. Notably, regression analysis revealed a robust positive correlation between UAS and DLQI scores (p < 0.001). Intriguingly, demographic variables such as age and gender, along with disease duration, prior consultations, and endotype, exerted no statistically significant influence on DLQI outcomes.

CSU imposes a profound QoL burden, with disease severity emerging as the paramount determinant of DLQI scores. In contrast, demographic and ancillary clinical factors demonstrated limited relevance. These findings underscore the urgency of targeted interventions to mitigate the QoL impact of severe CSU. Future research should pivot toward innovative strategies to alleviate this burden and improve patient outcomes.