Chronic spontaneous urticaria in Russia: the patient journey

BACKGROUND: There is no data on the nature of medical care provided to patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria from the patient’s perspective.

AIM: To analyze the clinical and social aspects of chronic spontaneous urticaria and the patterns of healthcare delivery using data from an online survey of patients from 63 cities across Russia.

METHODS: A structured online survey was performed among respondents with chronic spontaneous urticaria over the age of 18. The survey was conducted between April and June 2025 and included 40 questions covering demographic characteristics, disease severity, comorbidities, patient routing, medical visits, and treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria. The data were analyzed quantitatively, with the calculation of the proportions of responses for each question from patients in 63 cities across Russia. IBM SPSS Statistics 21 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The study involved 1,061 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. Most of them of working age; more than 60 % did not achieve control according to the chronic spontaneous urticaria test. Common comorbidities were sleep disorders and anxiety disorders. Patients consulted several specialists before diagnosis; an allergist-immunologist played a leading role in the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Satisfaction with standard-dose antihistamines was low, and the availability of second-line therapy was limited.

CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need to improve patient referral pathways, increase physicians’ awareness of the principles of diagnosis and management of chronic spontaneous urticaria, enhance access to modern therapeutic options, and promote a multidisciplinary approach to chronic spontaneous urticariamanagement. Overall, the findings are consistent with international studies while also providing insight into the specific features of chronic spontaneous urticariamanagement in the Russian healthcare setting.