The relationship of chronic spontaneous urticaria with anxiety and depression in children

INTRODUCTION: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is characterized by urticaria recurring almost every day and lasting more than six weeks, with either known or unknown etiology. It may lead to various psychiatric disorders. Our aim is to determine the relationship of CSU with depression and anxiety in children.
METHODS: Children younger than 18 years of age who were followed by the Pediatric Immunology and Allergy Clinic of Diyarbakır Children’s Hospital with diagnosis of CSU were included in the study. A control group matched in terms of age and sex was formed. Both patient and control groups were evaluated by pediatric psychiatrics with regards to anxiety and depression. Prior to psychiatrics evaluation, Beck’s anxiety and depression scales were applied to the children aged 12 years or above. Patient and control groups were compared for anxiety and depression disease and symptom scores.
RESULTS: The study included 63 patients, 32 of whom were aged 12 years or above (12+ patients), and 82 controls, 32 of whom were aged 12 years or above (12+ controls). In the patient group, both anxiety and depression disorders were significantly more frequent. Similarly, anxiety and depression symptom scores were significantly higher in the 12+ patient group. This increase was found to show positive correlation with age and disease duration (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between patients with and without autoimmunity regarding anxiety and depression disorder (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In children, chronic spontaneous urticaria leads to anxiety and depression. This condition increases with age and disease duration.