Unmet medical needs for chronic spontaneous urticaria patients: Highlighting the real-life clinical practice in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Journal Volume
30
Journal Issue
1
Pages
41
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Background Treatment guidelines for chronic spontaneous/idiopathic urticaria (CSU) are available; however, only 50% of patients are well controlled with approved doses of H1-antihistamines, and certain patients remain symptomatic despite receiving up to 4× the approved dose of H1-antihistamines plus H2-antihistamines and/or leucotriene-receptor antagonists. Objectives To highlight real-life clinical practice in Taiwan and to understand the unmet medical needs of CSU patients. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional, observational survey of 50 dermatologists and 200 CSU patients was conducted between June 2013 and November 2013. Face-to-face interviews of dermatologists and online interviews of CSU patients were conducted independently. Results Dermatologists reported that dermographism and blood tests were the most commonly used diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis. The key driving factor for most clinic-based dermatologists (70%) in choosing a treatment was 'response to my medicines', and most preferred H1-antihistamines and steroids for treating CSU patients, whereas most hospital-based dermatologists (85%) gave higher priority to 'severity and impact of the conditions'. Patients were reported to have high psychological pressures and significant impact of CSU on their daily activity. In addition, CSU patients were not satisfied with their current treatment and 69% of patients switched their first-consulted physician. Furthermore, lack of information and concerns about side-effects were major factors which held back patients from seeking Western treatment. Conclusions There is an unmet medical need of CSU patients in Taiwan highlighting gaps among guidelines, real-life clinical practice, patients' perceptions and patients' knowledge of their disease. ? 2015 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
SDGs
Other Subjects
antihistaminic agent; histamine H1 receptor antagonist; steroid; histamine H1 receptor antagonist; histamine H2 receptor antagonist; leukotriene receptor blocking agent; adult; Article; blood analysis; chronic spontaneous urticaria; chronic urticaria; clinical practice; cross-sectional study; daily life activity; dermographism; diagnostic procedure; disease severity; drowsiness; female; health care need; human; human relation; interview; major clinical study; male; observational study; perception; priority journal; skin test; sleep quality; Taiwan; chronic disease; health service; middle aged; psychology; statistics and numerical data; urticaria; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Histamine H2 Antagonists; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Leukotriene Antagonists; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Taiwan; Urticaria
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Type
journal article