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Published on: December 15, 2011
Thyroid autoimmunity in chronic urticaria.
B F O'Donnell1, D M Francis, G T Swana
1St. John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH, UK. amanda.mcgowan@tsch.ie
The British Journal of Dermatology
|August 10, 2005
Summary
Chronic urticaria (CU) is linked to autoimmune thyroid disease, particularly in patients with positive skin tests. This suggests an autoimmune cause for CU in this subset, highlighting the importance of thyroid screening.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Chronic urticaria (CU) may involve autoimmune processes.
- Previous research suggests a link between CU and autoimmune thyroid disease.
- CU patients were categorized into three subsets based on skin reactivity and histamine release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity, thyroid dysfunction, and CU subtypes.
- To analyze thyroid autoantibodies and TSH levels across different CU patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Studied 182 CU patients, with 90 having positive autologous intradermal serum tests.
- Assessed thyroid microsomal antibodies (TMA) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGA).
- Measured thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to assess thyroid function.
Main Results:
- Thyroid microsomal antibodies (TMA) were found in 18 skin test-positive and 4 skin test-negative patients.
- Abnormal TSH levels were observed in 13 skin test-positive patients versus one skin test-negative patient.
- Skin test-positive patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of TMA and abnormal thyroid function.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in autoimmune thyroid disease were noted between skin test-positive and skin test-negative CU patients.
- Autoimmune thyroid disease and abnormal thyroid function were predominantly found in skin test-positive patients.
- Findings support an autoimmune etiology for CU in the skin test-positive subset.
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