title: Impact of chronic urticaria on the quality of life in Australian and Sri Lankan populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) has a significant impact on patients' quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to assess that impact and to compare differences by culture, gender, age or duration of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the modified chronic urticaria quality of life questionnaire, consisting of 15 questions. Over the course of 6 months, patients attending Immunology clinics at Campbelltown Hospital and private rooms in Australia and at the faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka were asked to fill out the questionnaires. We have obtained the data from 125 patients (43 Australian vs. 82 Sri Lankan). There were significantly more female patients (P < 0.01). The data was analysed using SAS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, patients were affected mostly by itch and wheals and least affected by the side effects of treatments. Sri Lankan populations were more affected by wheals and by interference on activities, mood and food choices but were less affected by tiredness due to sleep disturbances (P < 0.01). Females were more affected by sleep disturbance (P < 0.05) while those older than 40 years of age were more impacted by tiredness and by the side effects from medications (P < 0.05), though the complaints themselves were mild. Those who suffered from CIU for more than 1 year were more affected by wheal, tiredness and irritability (P ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The questionnaire highlighted some differences between patients attending Australian versus Sri Lankan outpatients. Significant differences were found in one third of parameters which include mood, sleep, daily activities and food choices.
authors: Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Yun
authors: Constance H
authors: CH
authors: Katelaris
authors: Anura
authors: A
authors: Weerasinghe
authors: Duminda Bandara
authors: DB
authors: Adikari
authors: Chanaka
authors: C
authors: Ratnayake