Characteristics and determinants of patient burden and needs in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria

BACKGROUND: Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is founded on evidence-based guidelines. However, specific patient needs and benefits of therapy have not been outlined at the guideline level.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterise the specific needs and treatment goals in chronic spontaneous urticaria from the patient's perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four German outpatient dermatology clinics. Patient needs and potential therapy goals were determined with the validated Patient Needs Questionnaire (PNQ) using a specific version for chronic urticaria. Further instruments to characterise the link between patient needs and disease burden were disease-specific (CU-Q2oL), skin-generic (DLQI) and health-generic (EQ VAS) scales.

RESULTS: Data from 103 patients were analysed (age: 43.92 ± 14.96 years; 71.4% female). Among the most important therapeutic goals were the absence of visible skin lesions (92.3% important/very important), to be free of itching (91.5%) and the desire to be healed of all skin defects (89.5%). All 26 items were found to be quite important/very important by at least 30% of the respondents. Specific profiles of patient needs were found to be related to sex and disease duration.

CONCLUSION: Innovative drugs and patient-centred individualised treatment may increase overall benefits. Regardless of the treatment chosen, shared decision making in the management of the disease should be a goal.