Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) can cause psychosocial and quality of life burden on patients and their family members and caregivers. Despite its recognition as a debilitating disease, limited data exist regarding the impact of CSU on family members, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the disease's broader effects. This study aimed to assess how CSU affects the quality of life of family members who support patients in their daily challenges by applying the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) questionnaire across multiple countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicentre and international study conducted between January and December 2024 in Urticaria Centres of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) centres located in several countries including Brazil, China, Ecuador, Greece, India, Oman, Poland, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Peru and North Macedonia. Statistical analyses, including non-parametric tests and multiple regression models, were employed to explore associations between disease severity/control and family burden. RESULTS: Poorly controlled CSU significantly deteriorated family members' quality of life, particularly in emotional, physical and social domains. Higher disease severity and lower disease control scores were associated with increased stress, greater caregiving burden and elevated health expenditures. In opposition to family relations, older age and longer time since diagnosis mitigate negative impacts, while insufficient treatment regimens exacerbated them. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate control of CSU amplifies the burden on families, underscoring the need for effective and supportive care strategies.
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.70290
Authors: Beatrice Martinez Zugaib Abdalla, Roberta Fachini Jardim Criado, Kanokvalai Kulthanan, Emek Kocatürk, Ivan Cherrez‐Ojeda, Ana Maria Giménez‐Arnau, Marcus Maurer, Luis Felipe Ensina, Jonathan A. Bernstein, Michihiro Hide, Sergio Duarte Dortas Junior, Solange Oliveira Rodrigues Valle, Gabriela Dias, Paraskevi Xepapadak, Priyanshi Dangi, Indrashis Podder, Vesna Trajkova, Natasa Teovska Mitrevska, Iman Hamed Nasr, Bushra Al Hinai, Joanna Bartosińska, Dorota Krasowska, Paulina Szczepanik‐Kułak, Hilal Gungor, Deniz Ozceker, Kübra Çiçek, Esen Özkaya, Yasemin Erdem, Mücahit Ergün, Mustafa Tosun, Rabia Oztas Kara, Jie Li, Anastasia Allenova, Paulo Ricardo Criado
Institutions: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Siriraj Hospital, Bahçeşehir University, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Hospital Del Mar, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, University of Cincinnati, Hiroshima University, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital, D.Y. Patil University, College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital, Royal Hospital, Medical University of Lublin, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Hacettepe University, Istanbul University, Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi, Sakarya University, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Sechenov University
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,450
Funders: Amgen, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Les Laboratories Pierre Fabre, Yuhan, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Galderma, Medac, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Genentech, Sanofi Genzyme
Award: G3690646728
OpenAlex ID: W7118169705