A Dual Perspective on Chromic Urticaria: Insights from a Retrospective Study and Systematic Review and Meta-Analytical Evaluation

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin condition that causes hives and swelling, lasting for six weeks or longer. This condition can really take a toll on people's lives, causing physical discomfort, mental stress, and social difficulties. Aim and Objective: The primary aim of the study was to answer the question: "How do the prevalence rates and related comorbidities of chronic urticaria vary among different populations, and what do these variations imply for clinical management?". Methods: A systematic review and meta analyses was conducted by selecting studies from the period 2015 to 2024 on the prevalence of spontaneous urticaria and the associated risk factors from PubMed, Embase and Scopus. In addition to this, a retrospective study was conducted alongside including 664 patients with 332 patients each in the control (diagnosed with chronic urticaria) and case group. Results: The review looked at 12 studies and found some noticeable differences in prevalence rates across different regions, with an overall pooled estimate of 0.12. The retrospective study pointed out that chronic urticaria is more common in women and also noted that conditions like obesity, thyroid issues, and diabetes are often linked to it. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of thorough clinical evaluations and personalized management plans for patients dealing with chronic urticaria. More research is needed to look into the long-term impacts of related health issues and to better grasp how this condition affects different populations.