PREVALENCE OF CHOLINERGIC URTICARIA IN YOUNG-ADULTS

Background: Cholinergic urticaria is primarily seen in young adults, b ut little is known about its prevalence. Objective: A prospective stud y was designed to investigate the frequency and severity of cholinergi c urticaria in this age group. Methods: Four hundred ninety-three high school and university students (15 to 35 years of age) were examined for cholinergic urticaria by means of a questionnaire and partly by ex ercise provocation tests. Results: The overall prevalence of cholinerg ic whealing was 11.2%, with most of the affected persons being older t han 20 years. The highest prevalence was observed in the age group of 26 to 28 years (20%). Apart from a small group of severely afflicted p ersons with systemic symptoms (11%), reactions were mostly mild and re stricted to fleeting, pinpoint-size wheals (76%). Eighty percent of af fected subjects were not troubled by their condition, and only 22% had ever sought medical attention. Conclusion: The study shows a high pre valence of cholinergic urticaria, but the condition is mostly mild.