ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2002 October;161(4-5):173-6

Copyright © 2002 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Idiopathic chronic urticaria and Helicobacter pylori infection

Nifosì G.

UO Medicina Interna, Azienda Ospedaliera Gravina, Caltagirone, Catania

Background. Urticaria and angioedema are common — and commonly frustrating — problems for physicians and patients. In different studies the most common etiological factors have been identified as infection, food, drugs and some internal diseases. Recently a possible relationship between chronic urticaria and Helicobacter pylori (HP) has been suggested.
Methods. In 12 patients with chronic urticaria prevalence, HP infection may even be underestimated since only 5/12 (41.66%) patients underwent endoscopy. These patients were treated with amoxicillin, claritromicin and omeprazole.
Results. After eradication therapy, 4 out of 5 patients (80%) showed clinical improvement or disappearance of their urticarial symptoms. Two of these responders patients showed complete remission of urticaria after 24 months of follow-up.
Conclusions. HP affects a high percentage of patients with idiopathic chronic urticaria. Bacterium eradication is associated with a remission of urticaria symptoms, suggesting a possible role of HP in the pathogenesis of this skin disorder.