583 Epidemiology of Urticaria Cases in the Allergy Service from a Third Level Medical Center. Six Year Experience

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report the cases of Urticaria diagnosed in the Allergy service from a Third level medical centre since its creation in July 2005. METHODS: This is a descriptive, retrospective, transversal study from July 2005 to February 2011. Selected medical records of patients apply for diagnostic criteria for an allergy disease. EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline 2009 was used to make diagnosis of urticaria. Patients were classified by age and sex, and how many of them had skin prick test, also how many patients began treatment with immunotherapy. RESULTS: Thirteen thousand seven hundred and thirty seven consultations were attended in the Allergy service between the period mentioned; 2,337 medical records of patients were selected; 1,608 patients applied for a specific diagnosis for an allergy disease; 90 completed criteria for urticaria, after allergic rhinitis, asthma an atopic conjuntivitis. 49 (54.4%) patients were found to be in the range of 30 to 40 years; 36 (73.4%) of them were female. The majority of urticaria patients were in the range of 40's with 28 (18 F/10 M) corresponding to 31.1% of total of patients. 43 patients were classified with acute urticaria, 26 as chronic urticaria. 19 patients presented angioedema at the time of diagnosis. Skin prick test were made in 27 patients only in 10 were positive and began immunotherapy. Patients with positive skin prick test results with 9 at dust mites, 4 cockroach, 3 mosquito, 3 fungus and 8 grass and tree pollen. CONCLUSIONS: Urticaria represents the fourth cause of incidence in allergy diseases in this study. Female sex is more frequently affected in the range of 30 to 40 years of age. We found statistical data comparable with international information, that forms part of our data base en Mexican patients in our center, also we standaridzed procedures for testing physical urticaria.