Epidemiology

The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%.[1][2] While the majority of these cases are acute and self-limited 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 angioedema has been reported to be more common in black people compared with white people.[10] Angioedema occurs in 0.1% to 0.7% of people taking ACE inhibitors.[11] Hereditary angioedema affects an estimated 1 in 50,000 people worldwide, and acquired angioedema an estimated 1 in 500,000 people.[12][13]

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