A comparative study on clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria between telemedicine application and in-person visits

Background: Telemedicine has become an essential tool in healthcare, providing an alternative platform for managing chronic diseases. While telemedicine has shown patient satisfaction in general dermatology, limited research has focused on its effectiveness and satisfaction specifically for chronic spontaneous urticaria. Objectives: The study aimed to compare disease activity and quality of life in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients managed via telemedicine versus in-person visits and to assess patient satisfaction with telemedicine. Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 50 chronic spontaneous urticaria patients, equally divided into telemedicine and in-person groups. Disease activity and control were evaluated using the Urticaria Activity Score 7. Quality of life was measured using the Thai Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire, and satisfaction was assessed using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire. Results: At baseline, the mean Urticaria Activity Score 7 was 11.68 ± 9.19 in the telemedicine group and 7.60 ± 7.69 in the in-person group ( P = 0.095), with 11/25 (44.0%) and 14/25 (56.0%) achieving disease control, respectively ( P = 0.396). After 24 weeks, disease control was observed in 24/25 (96.0%) in the telemedicine group and 20/25 (80.0%) in the in-person group ( P = 0.189). Comparable improvements were observed in Thai Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire ( P = 0.806). Satisfaction with telemedicine was high, with a mean Telehealth Usability Questionnaire score of 4.66 ± 0.26. Conclusion: Telemedicine is a feasible and effective alternative for the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria, providing disease control and quality of life improvements that were noninferior to in-person care, with high patient satisfaction.