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Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori–Associated Gastritis in Chronic Urticaria

Background: Chronic urticaria and concurrent angioedema are frustrating problems for both physicians and patients. Methods: 100 patients with chronic urticaria (mean duration 33.3±48.2 months) attending the urticaria consulting hour of our Department of Dermatology within 1 year were carefully analyzed for pathogenesis to avoid extensive unnecessary diagnostic approach in the future. Results: In 43 cases a potential infectious trigger could be identified, 35 were of idiopathic origin, and 15 demonstrated pseudoallergic reactions to acetylsalicylic acid or food additives, 5 had antibodies to thyroid gland, and 2 had malignant diseases. Of patients with foci, 26 had Helicobacter pylori–associated gastritis, 9 chronic tonsillitis or sinusitis, 4 infections with Epstein–Barr virus or cytomegalovirus, 2 dental focal infections and 2 suffered from Yersinia infection. High prevalence of H. pylori gastritis was found since 47% of patients showed elevated H. pylori–specific IgA and/or IgG antibodies. 27 patients underwent endoscopy and in all but 1 (96%) antral H. pylori infection was found. In contrast, a prevalence rate of 37% among asymptomatic adults has been published. Disappearance (67%) or improvement of urticaria (24%) occurred in most antimicrobially treated patients after 3–12 weeks. In contrast, only 50% of untreated H. pylori–seropositive patients with chronic urticaria showed spontaneous remission or improvement within 12 weeks. Prevalence of H. pylori infection may even be underestimated since only 27/100 patients underwent endoscopy. It is suggested that H. pylori infection may be present at least in all seropositive subjects (47%). Moreover, we found H. pylori infection in 2 seronegative subjects demonstrating gastric complaints. Conclusions: Thus, measurement of H. pylori–specific antibodies and/or gastroscopy should be included in the diagnostic management of chronic urticaria to identify patients who may profit from eradication treatment with disappearance of long–standing and annoying urticaria symptomatology.