Arquivos de Asmas Alergia e Imunologia
The patient journey with chronic urticaria in Brazil: a real-life study
By Larissa Silva Brandão, Luís Felipe Ensina and Dirceu Solé.
Abstract
Introduction
In large, diverse countries like Brazil, geographic disparities and healthcare barriers can significantly affect the chronic urticaria (CU) patient journey and disease outcomes. This study evaluated the real-world burden, regional disparities, and treatment patterns of CU in Brazil.
Methods
This cross-sectional study surveyed 388 physician-confirmed CU patients across all Brazilian regions between June 2022 and December 2023, assessing clinical features, diagnostic latency, disease control (UCT), treatments, and quality of life.
Results
The cohort was 92% female with 79.1% reporting angioedema. Northeast patients faced longer diagnostic delays (35.3% ≥ 2 years) and greater scarcity of specialized services than Southeast patients. “Diagnostic nomadism” was prevalent, with 41% consulting 3 to 5 physicians before diagnosis, and misdiagnosis affected 53.4%. Uncontrolled disease was alarmingly high (71.6%). Anti-IgE usage was higher in the South (34.9%) than in the Northeast (15.3%). Angioedema severely impacted sexual health and interpersonal relationships.