Prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic spontaneous urticaria in pediatric patients. Issue 6 (11th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balp, Maria‐Magdalena; Weller, Karsten; Carboni, Veruska; Chirilov, Alexandra; Papavassilis, Charis; Severin, Thomas; Tian, Haijun; Zuberbier, Torsten; Maurer, Marcus
• Is Part Of: Pediatric allergy and immunology. Volume 29:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 630
• Page End: 636
• Publication Date: 2018-07-11
• Subjects: angioedema -- chronic spontaneous urticaria -- chronic urticaria -- Europe -- pediatric -- prevalence -- treatment patterns; Allergy in children -- Periodicals; Immunologic diseases in children -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1111/pai.12910
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-6157

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Data on the prevalence and disease management of chronic urticaria (CU) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in the pediatric population are scarce. This study assessed the prevalence of CU and CSU, and disease management among pediatric patients (0‐17 years). Methods: A physician‐based online survey was conducted in 5 European countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain) assessing the annual diagnosed prevalence, disease characteristics, and treatment patterns in the target population. Results are based on physician responses and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Prevalence estimates were calculated based on the number of CU/CSU pediatric patients diagnosed, seen, and treated by the respondents and extrapolated to the total pediatric population from each country. Results: Across 5 European countries, the one‐year diagnosed prevalence of CU and CSU in pediatric patients was 1.38% (95% CI, 0.94‐1.86) and 0.75% (95% CI, 0.44‐1.08), respectively. Angioedema was reported in 6%‐14% of patients. A large proportion of CSU pediatric patients (40%‐60%) were treated with H1‐antihistamines at approved dose and 16%‐51% received H1‐antihistamines at higher doses. Approximately 1/3 of pediatric CSU patients remained uncontrolled with H1‐antihistamines at approved/higher doses. Other prescribed treatments were oral corticosteroids (10%‐28%) and topical creams (15%‐26%). Conclusions: This study revealed a prevalence of CSU among pediatric population comparable to adults and also suggested an unmet need for approved treatments for inadequately controlled pediatric CSU patients. It is truly of concern that harmful (oral steroids) or insufficient (topical creams) treatments were frequently used despite better and guideline‐recommended alternatives.