Thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Endocrinology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Chronic urticaria (CU) is linked to autoantibodies targeting the IgE receptor or IgE.
• CU presents as hives and redness occurring at least twice weekly for over six weeks.
• A strong association exists between CU and autoimmune diseases, notably autoimmune thyroiditis (AT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of AT in patients diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
• To confirm the co-occurrence of CU and AT within the Polish population.

Main Methods:

• 148 patients with CSU were assessed for anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies.
• Thyroid function tests including TSH, fT4, and fT3 were performed.
• Results were compared to a control group of 35 individuals without skin disease.

Main Results:

• 33 out of 148 CSU patients were diagnosed with AT.
• Elevated levels of anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies were significantly more frequent in CU patients (p=0.0045 and p=0.013, respectively).
• CU patients exhibited a higher risk for elevated anti-TPO (OR=6.69) and anti-Tg (OR=6.01) levels.

Conclusions:

• A statistically significant difference in AT prevalence was observed between CU patients and the general population.
• Physicians should consider screening CU patients for AT.
• Early diagnosis and management of AT in CU patients can potentially lead to remission of skin symptoms.