[Activity of chronic spontaneous urticaria in euthyroid vs hypothyroid patients].

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) affects 5 % of the general population and it is associated with thyroid disease in up to 54 % of patients. There is scarce information on the activity of urticaria in patients with and without alterations in the thyroid function.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the activity rate of urticaria using the UAS7 (Urticaria Activity Score 7) in patients with and without hypothyroidism.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative study of patients with CSU (chronic spontaneous urticaria) who were older than 18 years of age, who were classified into two groups based on their thyroid function: hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. UAS7 was applied to all of them.

RESULTS: We analyzed 60 patients with CSU; 30 of them were euthyroid and 30 were hypothyroid. The female sex was predominant (76 %) and the average age was 49.1 years old. The activity in 40 % was moderate, in 25 % was severe, and it was mild in 23 %; only 12 % of them were controlled. In the group with hypothyroidism, the median TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) was of 6.8 μUI/mL. No statistically significant differences were found in matters of age, body mass index, comorbidities, or in the UAS7.

CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a statistically significant difference in the Urticaria Activity Index between both groups. Identifying the influencing factors shall improve the quality of life of patients.