CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PROFILES IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE URTICARIA AND RELATED FACTORS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To characterize the clinical and laboratory profiles of patients with acute urticaria and to examine possible associated factors.

Materials and methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 975 patients diagnosed with acute urticaria at the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology from January 2024 to August 2024. Data on clinical and laboratory characteristics and related factors (medical history, personal history) were collected from medical records.

Results: Among the 975 patients, females predominated the cohort (40.6%). 35.4% of patients reported previous episodes of acute urticaria. A personal history of atopy was noted in 15.3% of patients. Most patients had no evident triggering factor; among triggers, infection was the most common (15.8%), particularly in children who had higher markers of infection than adults (P<0.05). 25% of patients with acute urticaria presented with both wheals and angioedema. Additionally, elevated total IgE levels were identified in 74.1% of patients.

Conclusions: Acute urticaria was most prevalent among adult women. The majority of patients presented without a clear triggering factor, though infections were more commonly implicated in pediatric cases. Elevated IgE levels were prevalent across the study population.

*Corresponding author: Cuc T.K. Nguyen, MD; Email: kimcuc190989m@gmail.com

Received: October 31, 2024

Reviewed: November 28, 2024

Accepted: April 10, 2025