Disease burden and physical activity in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

BACKGROUND: Сhronic spontaneous urticaria is a disease characterized by itchy wheals and/or angioedema on the skin over a period of 6 weeks or longer. Сhronic spontaneous urticaria is characterized by a significant disease burden for patients, their families, healthcare system and a society. Some aspects of сhronic spontaneous urticaria burden. Including the disease impact on physical activity and sport engagement, have not been well characterized.

AIM: to evaluate the сhronic spontaneous urticaria impact on patient’s quality of life and physical activity of patients, and to assess the correlation between the level of physical activity and a UCT control/severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 31 сhronic spontaneous urticaria patients, who underwent history taking and a survey using international questionnaires: UAS7 (Urticaria Activity Score for 7 days), UCT (Urticaria Control Test), DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) и GPAQ (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

RESULTS: According to the GPAQ results, the physical activity level below that recommended by WHO was noted in five (16.1%) patients (MET-minutes/week ≤600). The moderate level of physical activity was reported in 17 (54.8%) patients, and the high level ― 9 (29%). Median sedentary time in сhronic spontaneous urticaria patients was 420 [300–480] min/day, that exceeds the WHO recommendations. The DLQI assessment suggests that 16 (51.6%) сhronic spontaneous urticaria patients had difficulties in their sport activities. Four (12.9%) patients had very strong impact of сhronic spontaneous urticaria on their sport activities. Noteworthy, five patients had to stop their regular physical activity because of сhronic spontaneous urticaria severity. Based on the UCT data, uncontrolled сhronic spontaneous urticaria was reported in 23 of 31 (74.2%) patients, who also had a significantly lower quality of life compared to those with a well-controlled disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Сhronic spontaneous urticaria may negatively affect patient’s quality of life, including their physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle (below the WHO recommendations) was noted in 16.1% patients. In further studies, the optimized recommendations for physical activity in сhronic spontaneous urticaria patients should consider their disease control/severity, their fitness level and patient’s preferences.