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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Urticaria epidemiology and demographics
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Since a considerable number of patients with urticaria only experience short lived symptoms and they may not seek any medical attention, it is difficult to determine the exact number of incidence and prevalence. However based on studies have been done, incidence of urticaria has been approximately 0.154% in one year and it’s prevalence is approximately 12-23.5%. Patients of all age groups may develop urticaria, nevertheless 20-40 years old patients are the most frequent patients who develop urticaria. Females are more commonly affected by urticaria than males. The overall female to male ratio is approximately 2 to 1. Although delayed pressure urticaria is the exception and involves males more than females, with a male to female ratio of 2 to 1. There is no racial predilection to urticaria.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiology and Demographics
Incidence
- In a prospective study in a rural area the incidence of urticaria has been approximately 0.154% in one year.[1]
Prevalence
- The prevalence of acute urticaria is approximately 12-23.5%. Although the real prevalence is estimated to be even more, since mild cases usually don’t seek medical attention. [1][2]
- Cholinergic urticaria has a 11.2% prevalence in the age group of 16β35 years.
- Physical urticarias prevalence has been estimated 44.6% in normal subjects.[3][1]
Age
- Patients of all age groups may develop urticaria, nevertheless 20-40 years old patients are the most frequent patients who develop urticaria.[4][5]
- The age of onset is 30 years old in delayedβpressure urticaria.[1]
- There are some studies demonstrating an inverse relationship between age and disease severity. Based on these studies, older adults have shorter periods of disease.[6]
Race
- There is no racial predilection to urticaria.
Gender
- Females are more commonly affected by urticaria than males. The female to male ratio is approximately 2 to 1.[4]
- The female to male ratio is approximately 5 to 1 in aquagenic urticaria.[1][7]
- Interestingly delayed pressure urticaria involves males more than females, with a male to female ratio of 2 to 1.[1]
References
References
- β 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Zuberbier T (2003). “Urticaria”. Allergy. 58 (12): 1224β34. doi:10.1046/j.1398-9995.2003.00327.x. PMIDΒ 14616095.
- β Champion RH, Roberts SO, Carpenter RG, Roger JH (1969). “Urticaria and angio-oedema. A review of 554 patients”. Br J Dermatol. 81 (8): 588β97. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1969.tb16041.x. PMIDΒ 5801331.
- β Henz BM, Jeep S, Ziegert FS, Niemann J, Kunkel G (1996). “Dermal and bronchial hyperreactivity in urticarial dermographism and urticaria factitia”. Allergy. 51 (3): 171β5. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1996.tb04582.x. PMIDΒ 8781671.
- β 4.0 4.1 Losol P, Yoo HS, Park HS (2014). “Molecular genetic mechanisms of chronic urticaria”. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 6 (1): 13β21. doi:10.4168/aair.2014.6.1.13. PMCΒ 3881394. PMIDΒ 24404388.
- β Humphreys F, Hunter JA (1998). “The characteristics of urticaria in 390 patients”. Br J Dermatol. 138 (4): 635β8. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02175.x. PMIDΒ 9640369.
- β Chuamanochan M, Kulthanan K, Tuchinda P, Chularojanamontri L, Nuchkull P (2016). “Clinical features of chronic urticaria in aging population”. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 34 (3): 201β205. doi:10.12932/AP0708. PMIDΒ 27001657.
- β Greaves M (2000). “Chronic urticaria”. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 105 (4): 664β72. doi:10.1067/mai.2000.105706. PMIDΒ 10756214.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Β ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anahita Deylamsalehi, M.D.[2]
