Disease Control, Activity and Quality of Life in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Cross-Sectional Study from Kazakhstan

Арай Батырбаева, Zhanat Bakhitovna Ispayeva, Пашимов Марат Орумбасарович, Rustem Tuleutayev, Jamilya A. Kaibullayeva, Madina Baidildayeva, Balnur Sultanova, Arailym Maldybayeva, Kamila Turebekova

Diagnostics, 2026

Full text Open access: Gold Metadata (CSL-JSON)
DOI 10.3390/diagnostics16050672
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) significantly affects patients’ quality of life (QoL) and remains challenging to manage, particularly in under-researched regions. This study aimed to assess the clinical burden, disease control, and quality of life among patients with CSU in Kazakhstan and to identify predictors of severe disease activity. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 350 patients with CSU attending the Republican Allergy Center in Almaty between December 2024 and June 2025. Patients were classified based on the presence of co-existing chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), angioedema, or both. Disease activity, control, and QoL were assessed using the Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), Urticaria Control Test (UCT), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression and correlation analyses were used to identify predictors of severe disease and interrelationships among clinical measures. Results: Among 350 patients (mean age 43.5 ± 14.7 years; 78% female), 46.3% had CSU alone, while 53.7% had associated phenotypes. Severe urticaria (UAS7 ≥ 28) affected 30% of patients. Suboptimal disease control (UCT ≤ 11) was reported in 30%, and 30% experienced strong or very strong QoL impairment (DLQI > 10). Older disease onset (≥60 years; OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.02–3.81) and nighttime symptoms (OR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.02–2.73) were independently associated with severe disease. A strong inverse correlation was observed between UAS7 and UCT (ρ = −0.71), and a positive correlation between UAS7 and DLQI (ρ = 0.66), highlighting the impact of disease activity on control and QoL. Conclusions: CSU imposes a substantial clinical and psychosocial burden in Kazakhstan. One-third of patients experience severe symptoms and impaired QoL despite ongoing treatment. Older age at disease onset and nighttime symptoms may serve as practical indicators of disease severity. These findings highlight the need for improved access to advanced therapies, systematic monitoring using validated tools, and multidisciplinary care strategies in resource-constrained settings.