[General practitioners, dermatologists, allergists, and the management of chronic urticaria. Results of a practice survey].

This report presents the results of a national study realized in June and July 2002 to describe dermatologists, allergists and general practitioners'clinical intentions of practice in front of chronic urticaria, before the consensus conference on this topic.75 per cent general practitioners (112/148), 73 per cent dermatologists (131/180) and 90 per cent allergists (58/64) completed the interview by phone. Health authorities and medical associations furnished the lists for drawing of lots. General practitioners realize few diagnostic investigations and prescribe in most cases anti histamines. In case of persistence, they resort to specialists, dermatologists or allergists. Dermatologists and allergists seemed to have similar practices for management of chronic urticaria, even if allergists realize more allergy skin tests. Chronic urticaria remains unexplained in about 60 per cent of the observations. When an aetiology was identified, it is a physical urticaria for allergists and drug-induced urticaria for dermatologists. For all the physicians, non sedating and/or sedating anti-histamines are the principal treatment, sometimes associated with others drugs, in case of resistance. Most of the physicians perceived psychological factors as important. Sometimes, they suggest a specific therapy. This questionnaire survey will be done again some months after publication of recommendations to appreciate its impact on physicians.