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Clinical features of elderly chronic urticaria
Ga-Young Ban1, Mi-Yea Kim1, Hye-Soo Yoo1
1Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
|November 8, 2014
Summary
Elderly patients with chronic urticaria (CU) show a higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD). Recognizing AD in older CU patients is crucial for effective management and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by itchy wheals persisting for over six weeks.
- The global increase in the aged population necessitates understanding CU's specific manifestations in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and distinct clinical features of chronic urticaria in elderly individuals.
- To identify comorbidities and immunological markers associated with CU in older patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 837 CU patients at Ajou University Hospital's Allergy Clinic.
- Inclusion criteria: Patients diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) per EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines.
- Definition of elderly: Patients aged 60 years and above.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients constituted 4.5% (37 out of 837) of the study cohort.
- Significantly higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) (37.8% vs. 21.7%) and lower prevalence of aspirin intolerance (18.9% vs. 43.6%) were observed in elderly CU patients compared to non-elderly.
- Elderly CU patients with AD exhibited markedly higher serum specific IgE antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxin A and B (37.5% vs. 0%) compared to those without AD.
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients diagnosed with chronic urticaria demonstrate a notably higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis.
- Clinical awareness and recognition of co-existing atopic dermatitis are essential when managing chronic urticaria in the elderly population.
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