Urticaria is a common dermatological disorder characterized by the sudden appearance of transient wheals accompanied by itching and erythema. These wheals typically resolve within 24 hours without leaving residual marks. The condition may occur alone or in association with angioedema, which involves deeper dermal and subcutaneous tissues.

Urticaria is broadly classified into acute urticaria, lasting less than six weeks, and chronic urticaria, persisting for more than six weeks. Acute urticaria is often associated with infections, food allergens, or drug reactions, whereas chronic urticaria is frequently idiopathic or autoimmune in nature.

The global prevalence of urticaria is estimated to be approximately 15–20% at some point in an individual’s lifetime. The disease can affect individuals of all age groups but is more commonly seen in young adults. Although urticaria is not life-threatening in most cases, it can significantly impair quality of life due to persistent itching, sleep disturbance, and psychological stress.

Identifying the clinical spectrum of urticaria and associated triggers is essential for effective management. However, data regarding the clinical patterns of urticaria in outpatient settings are limited in many regions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the demographic profile, clinical patterns, and associated factors of urticaria among patients attending dermatology outpatient departments.

Hospital-based cross-sectional observational study.

Study Setting

The study was conducted in the Dermatology Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 12 months.

Study Population

Patients attending the dermatology outpatient department with clinical features of urticaria.

Sample Size

A total of 120 patients diagnosed with urticaria were included.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients of all age groups diagnosed with urticaria
• Patients willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with other dermatological conditions mimicking urticaria
• Patients unwilling to participate in the study

Data Collection

A structured questionnaire was used to collect the following information:

• Age and gender
• Duration of symptoms
• Type of urticaria (acute or chronic)
• Triggering factors
• Presence of angioedema
• Associated comorbidities

Clinical examination was performed by a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis.

Statistical Analysis

Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results were expressed as frequency and percentage.

Table 1: Age Distribution of Patients (n = 120)

Table 2: Gender Distribution

Table 3: Type of Urticaria

Table 4: Triggering Factors of Urticaria

Table 5: Associated Clinical Features

Urticaria is a frequently encountered dermatological condition in outpatient departments. The present study evaluated the clinical spectrum and demographic characteristics of patients with urticaria.

In this study, the majority of patients belonged to the 21–30 years age group, indicating that urticaria is more common among young adults. Similar findings have been reported in previous studies conducted in dermatology clinics.

A slight female predominance was observed, which may be attributed to hormonal factors and increased health-seeking behavior among women. Acute urticaria was found to be more common than chronic urticaria, accounting for more than half of the cases.

Food allergens and drug reactions were identified as the most common triggering factors. However, a significant proportion of patients had idiopathic urticaria, where no specific trigger could be identified.

Angioedema was present in a small proportion of patients, which is consistent with previous reports indicating that angioedema may occur in association with urticaria in some cases.

Overall, the findings of this study highlight the importance of careful history taking and identification of potential triggers in the management of urticaria.

Urticaria is a common dermatological condition affecting individuals of various age groups, with a higher prevalence among young adults and females. Acute urticaria was the most frequently observed type in the outpatient department. Food allergens and drug reactions were common triggering factors, although a considerable number of cases remained idiopathic.

Early identification of triggers, patient education, and appropriate management strategies are essential for reducing disease burden and improving quality of life in patients with urticaria.

Further large-scale studies are recommended to better understand the epidemiology and risk factors associated with urticaria.

1. Zuberbier T, Aberer W, Asero R, et al. The EAACI guideline for the definition, classification and diagnosis of urticaria. Allergy. 2018;73(7):1393-1414.
2. Kolkhir P, Church MK, Weller K, Metz M, Schmetzer O, Maurer M. Autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(6):1772-1781.
3. Fricke J, Ávila G, Keller T, et al. Prevalence of chronic urticaria in children and adults. Allergy. 2020;75(2):423-432.
4. Maurer M, Weller K, Bindslev-Jensen C, et al. Unmet clinical needs in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Allergy. 2018;73(10):207-218.
5. Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;133(5):1270-1277.
6. Kaplan AP. Chronic spontaneous urticaria: pathogenesis and treatment considerations. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2017;9(6):477-482.
7. Sánchez-Borges M, Ansotegui IJ, Baiardini I, et al. The challenges of chronic urticaria management. World Allergy Organ J. 2021;14(4):100546.
8. Powell RJ, Leech SC, Till S, et al. BSACI guideline for the management of chronic urticaria. Clin Exp Allergy. 2015;45(3):547-565.