Epidemiology

The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%.[1]​​[2] While the majority of these cases are acute and self-limiting events, roughly 30% of people will go on to experience prolonged symptoms.[7] Acute urticaria is more common in children and adolescents than in adults, while chronic urticaria more typically affects adults.

The prevalence of chronic urticaria in Spain has been estimated to be 0.6%, and in Germany 1.8%.[8][9] In chronic urticaria, women are affected more often than men (60% versus 40% of cases, respectively).

Incidence of ACE inhibitor-related angio-oedema has been reported to be more common in black people compared with white people.[10] Angio-oedema occurs in 0.1% to 0.7% of people taking ACE inhibitors.[11] Hereditary angio-oedema affects an estimated 1 in 50,000 people worldwide, and acquired angio-oedema an estimated 1 in 500,000 people.[12][13]

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