Validation of the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) in Children With Chronic Urticaria

ABSTRACT

Background

Few validated tools exist to evaluate chronic urticaria (CU) control in children. While the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) exhibits favourable clinometric properties in adult CU, it is not yet validated in children.

Objective

We sought to evaluate the validity of the UCT for the assessment of pediatric CU.

Methods

Children presenting with CU were consecutively recruited and completed both the UCT and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) at study entry. Using the CLDQI as an anchor, we assessed the internal consistency, convergent and known-groups validity, and screening accuracy of the UCT at study entry and at follow-up.

Results

A total of 52 children with CU were recruited. The UCT exhibited respectable internal consistency in the evaluation of CU (Cronbach's α=0.73 [95%CI: 0.62, 0.85]). UCT and CDLQI scores strongly correlated (r=-0.74, P<0.01). The UCT distinguished between different strata of disease severities established by the CDLQI (P<0.01). Screening accuracy of the UCT was excellent in the discrimination of poorly controlled CU (area under the curve=0.82). An optimal cut-off of ≤10 was determined for defining poorly controlled CU (sensitivity=95.5%, specificity=63.3%). Data at follow-up were consistent with data at study entry. Subgroup analyses of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) were consistent with overall estimates of validity.

Conclusion

The UCT is a valid tool for the assessment of pediatric CU and CSU, as evidenced by the acceptable internal consistency, convergent and known-groups validity, and screening accuracy at multiple time points.