Age & Fasting Blood Sugar Key Drivers of Metabolic Syndrome in chronic spontaneous urticaria: Study

A new study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology found that chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is associated with a slightly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome when compared to controls, along with significantly higher diastolic blood pressure and lower HDL levels.

Among CSU patients, those with metabolic syndrome (MetS) tend to be older and exhibit higher serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and mean platelet volume. Importantly, increasing age and elevated fasting blood sugar independently predict the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in this population.

CSU is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory condition which may overlap with systemic issues such as MetS. MetS is a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, and increased abdominal fat, all of which raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

This cross-sectional study evaluated 74 patients diagnosed with CSU and compared them to 58 healthy individuals matched for age and sex. This study used established diagnostic criteria to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in both groups, along with a range of inflammatory and biochemical markers.

The findings revealed that 24.3% of CSU patients met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, when compared to 20.7% of healthy controls. While this difference was not statistically significant, the trend suggests an obvious overlap between the two conditions. Specific cardiovascular risk indicators among CSU patients, like significantly higher diastolic blood pressure and lower levels of HDL were exhibited compared to the control group.

The study also explored whether the severity or duration of CSU influenced the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. No strong links were found between MetS and disease-related factors such as symptom severity, disease control, or the presence of angioedema. This suggests that metabolic risk in CSU patients may operate independently of how the skin condition manifests clinically.

CSU patients with metabolic syndrome were generally older and had higher levels of serum total IgE. They also showed increased mean platelet volume (MPV), which can indicate increased inflammatory activity.

Further statistical analysis highlighted age and fasting blood sugar levels as the most significant predictors of metabolic syndrome in CSU patients. Every increase in these factors corresponded to a higher risk of developing metabolic complications.

Even when CSU symptoms appear manageable, patients may still face hidden metabolic risks. This emphasizes the importance of routine screening for metabolic syndrome in all CSU patients, regardless of disease severity or duration.

Reference:

Podder, I., Dhabal, A., Mondal, H., & Chakraborty, S. S. (2026). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in chronic spontaneous urticaria and associated risk-factors-an analytical cross-sectional study. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 71(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijd.ijd_885_24