Prevalence of urticaria in Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

Background: In Colombia, there have been studies on the prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Prevalence studies of urticaria in Colombia are scarce. Objective: Our objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of urticaria in Cartagena (Colombia) in order to contribute to national epidemiological estimates of disease. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study in the city of Cartagena was conducted and 547 patients aged 1-58 years treated at the Allergy specialist consultation in care centers selected for this study between April and July 2015 were included, through non-probabilistic sampling. Results: The prevalence of urticaria in the care centers selected of city of Cartagena (Colombia) was 7.1 % (4 % children and adults 3.1 %). 3.4 % prevalence of acute urticaria and 3.6 % of chronic urticaria was estimated. Conclusion: 46.1 % reported having a poor quality of life associated with urticaria.