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Chronic urticaria and Helicobacter pylori
1Department of Dermatology, Bergamo General Hospital, Italy.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|December 2, 1998
Summary
Chronic urticaria patients often have Helicobacter pylori infections. However, eradicating this bacterium did not significantly improve skin symptoms in this study.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Chronic urticaria (CU) is a multifactorial skin condition.
- Potential triggers include food, drugs, infections, and internal diseases.
- A possible link between CU and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been proposed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with chronic urticaria.
- To evaluate the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy on chronic urticaria symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 125 CU patients underwent ELISA and 13C urea-breath tests for H. pylori.
- Positive cases received either H. pylori eradication therapy or no treatment.
- Control group: 25 CU patients with negative H. pylori tests received therapy.
- 46 blood donors were tested for H. pylori antibodies.
Main Results:
- 78 CU patients (62.4%) had H. pylori infection (positive IgG antibodies and urea-breath tests).
- H. pylori eradication therapy resulted in complete remission in 3/31 patients, compared to 1/34 in the control group.
- No significant difference in symptom improvement was observed between the eradication and control groups.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection is prevalent in chronic urticaria patients.
- Eradication therapy for H. pylori does not appear to significantly impact chronic urticaria symptoms or skin disorders.