ASSURE-CSU: A real-world study of burden of disease in patients with symptomatic chronic spontaneous urticaria

Kelly Ann Hollis; Doreen Watson McBride; K Weller; M Maurer; C Grattan; A Nakonechna; M Abuzakouk; F Berard; G Sussman; AM Gimenez-Arnau; J Ortiz de Frutos; A Knulst; GW Canonica; Kelly Ann Hollis; Doreen Watson McBride; Maria-Magdalena Balp

ASSURE-CSU

A real-world study of burden of disease in patients with symptomatic chronic spontaneous urticaria

Weller, K., Maurer, M., Grattan, C., Nakonechna, A., Abuzakouk, M., Berard, F., Sussman, G., Gimenez-Arnau, AM., Ortiz de Frutos, J., Knulst, A., Canonica, GW., Hollis, K., McBride, D., & Balp, MM. (2015). ASSURE-CSU: A real-world study of burden of disease in patients with symptomatic chronic spontaneous urticaria. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 5, Article 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-015-0072-9

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) formerly known as chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a severe and distressing skin condition that remains uncontrolled in approximately one half of patients, despite the use of licensed, recommended doses of modern, second-generation H1-antihistamines. So far, the humanistic, societal and economic burden of CSU/CIU has not been well quantified. Therefore it is important to broaden our understanding of how CSU/CIU impacts patients, society, and healthcare systems, by determining the disease burden of CSU/CIU and the associated unmet need; as well as to further guide the use of new treatments in an efficient and cost-effective manner. METHODS: ASSURE-CSU is an observational, multicenter study being conducted in the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands. The study comprises a retrospective medical chart review in conjunction with patient surveys (including validated tools for assessment of disease impact) and an 8-day patient diary. The primary objectives of the study are to describe patient demographics, medical history, treatments, and healthcare resource utilization based on medical-record data and to assess the impact of disease, healthcare resource utilization, work days missed, and productivity loss based on patient-reported data. Approximately 700 patients (aged >/=18 years) will be enrolled who have CSU/CIU despite currently receiving treatment, and have had persistent symptoms for at least 12 months. Data will be collected retrospectively for the 12 months (+/-1 month) prior to enrolment wherever possible, and prospectively for the week following enrolment. DISCUSSION: ASSURE-CSU will be the first study to examine the economic and humanistic burden of disease in patients diagnosed with CSU/CIU who are symptomatic despite treatment. By combining retrospective evaluation of medical records with prospective patient surveys and 8-day diaries, across seven different countries, the ASSURE-CSU study will contribute to a better understanding and acknowledgement of the burden of disease in patients with symptomatic chronic spontaneous urticaria