Patients with chronic urticaria have a higher risk of psychiatric disorders: a population‐based study. (3rd February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, C.Y.; Cho, Y.T.; Jiang, J.H.; Chang, C.C.; Liao, S.C.; Tang, C.H.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 182:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: e62
• Page End: e62
• Publication Date: 2020-02-03
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18754
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a skin disease which causes itchy hives that last for at least six weeks. It is a common disease that affects 0.6 to 0.8% of the general population worldwide. CU can affect people's quality of life, performance at school, and work. Although a few recent studies have investigated the association of psychiatric disorders and urticaria, the relative risk of various psychiatric disorders and the usage of psychiatric medications among CU patients in a large population is largely unknown. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate the prevalence (how common it is) and relative risks of psychiatric disorders or psychiatric medication use among CU patients by CU severity level. This is a population‐based study from Taiwan. The authors found that CU patients had a 1.43‐fold to 2.32‐fold higher risk of psychiatric disorders, and had more frequent psychiatric medication prescription, compared to the general population. The authors concluded that mental health evaluations and management are important elements in CU management. This summary relates to the study: Patients with chronic urticaria have a higher risk of psychiatric disorders: a population‐based study Abstract : Linked Article: Chu et al. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182 :335–341