Effect of 60 mg twice-daily fexofenadine HCl on quality of life, work and classroom productivity, and regular activity in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

The effect of 60 mg twice-daily fexofenadine HCl on health-related quality of life and productivity at work, in the classroom, and during daily activi ties in patients with moderate to severe chronic idiopathic urticaria sympt oms was studied in two identical, 4-week, placebo-controlled, multicenter c linical trials. Patients self-administered the Dermatology Life Quality Ind ex (score, 0-30) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment instrume nt (0%-100%). In both trials, improvements in Dermatology Life Quality Inde x scores in fexofenadine-treated patients (N = 169) were statistically sign ificant compared with placebo (P less than or equal to .0002). Similarly im provements in productivity scores with fexofenadine 60 mg twice daily were statistically superior to placebo at work (n = 120, P less than or equal to .0152) and in performance of daily activities (n = 166, P less than or equ al to .0002). There was a trend toward improved classroom productivity (n = 26) with fexofenadine. We conclude fexofenadine 60 mg twice daily improves health-related quality of life, increases work productivity, and improves performance of daily activities in patients with moderate to severe chronic idiopathic urticaria.