Analysis of selected allergic reactions among psoriatic patients

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease. It is assumed that it affects 2–3% of the whole population [1]. The latest research shows the psoriasis complexity as a chronic disease characterized by a systemic inflammatory process concerning not only the skin. In spite of some promising research focused on pathogenesis, new directions and therapeutic possibilities, psoriasis still remains a chronic disease with vague aetiology. Genetic, immunological and environmental factors play an important role in the psoriasis etiopathogenesis [2–5]. A lot of endo- and exogenous factors may play a role in the appearance of pathologic changes, especially in patients with a genetic predisposition. Disorders connected with immunological reactions are the basis of the psoriasis process. This process is initiated by the keratinocyte proliferation with the help of stimulated lymphocytes. Continuous interaction between cells of the immunological system and cytokines creates a self-running mechanism which is responsible for the creation and support of the pathological changes. Disease complexity makes a reflection about allergic diseases coexistence with psoriasis. A long-term disease process may lead to the epidermal barrier damage which leads to a higher allergen exposure [6]. Antigens penetration by pathologically changed skin may also be treated as an additional element of the disease progression. Literature data on serum IgE, contact hypersensitivity in patients suffering from psoriasis are limited and often controversial.

Aim

The aim of this work is to estimate hypersensitivity concerning contact, inhalant and food allergens in patients with psoriasis. The analysis of the research results has been carried out with reference to the clinical picture of the disease – location, morphology, and progression stage of the dermal lesion.

Material and methods

The examined group consisted of 80 patients with psoriasis of the Clinic Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology of the Medical University of Silesia in Zabrze. The examination was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration after the acceptance of the local Bioethical Association (Bioethical Association of the Medical University of Silesia, Katowice KNW/0022/KB1/82/1/09). All the patients were 18–60 years old. Moreover, all of them were estimated for their dermatological condition based on the PASI scale (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). The concentration of total IgE antibodies and allergen-specific antibodies (asIgE) was evaluated, standard epidermal tests and atopic patch tests within the skin without pathological changes were conducted. Atopic patch tests (Stallergenes) contained allergenic extracts of dust mites, mouldy fungus, birch pollen, motherwort, grass and cat’s and dog’s hairs, were put on the healthy back skin and checked after 48 and 72 h. The European Standard Allergen Set was also performed in similar conditions. All the patients had quantitative determination of the total IgE concentration in serum by ELISA – the immunoenzymatic method (Allergopharma). The reference value of total IgE immunoglobulin was below 100 kU/l. The concentration of IgE against inhalant and food allergens were marked by fluoroimmunoenzymatic method (Euroimmun). The tested allergens included timothy, rye, birch, motherwort, cat, dog, horse, dust mites, moulds, egg, milk, cod, wheat flour, rice, soya, hazelnut, carrot, and potato. The estimation of the IgE antibodies class concentration was based on a class division in a 6-grade scale. The concentration in 2–6 class was defined as clinically crucial (0.7–100 kU/l). The control group consisted of 50 persons without psoriasis and allergy history.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was conducted using 6.0 Statistica program. The results were presented using descriptive statistical parameters such as median, average value and standard deviation. Compatibility of variable and standard distribution was checked by Shapiro-Wilk test. In order to compare the results, we used U Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. To determine the number of differences in groups, c2 test was used. Moreover, to specify the relation between tested indicators, we used the order correlation ranks test according to Spearman. The significance level was p < 0.05.

Results

Total immunoglobulin E concentration

The median of the total value of IgE class antibodies was higher in the tested group in comparison to the control group: 80 (min 3.2; max 672) kU/l and 43.5 (min 3.7; max 225) kU/l, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05, U Mann-Whitney test) and is presented in Figure 1 and Table 1.

Correlation of total IgE concentration with psoriasis intensification (PASI)

The median of total IgE concentration in patients with PASI 1–5 was 49.5 (min 6.9; max 89) kU/l, with PASI 5–10 was 60.9 (min 3.24; max 273) kU/l, but with PASI 10–20 it was 131.5 (min 23.36; max 672) kU/l. Total IgE concentration correlated with PASI (r = 0.648; p < 0.05) – Figures 2 and 3.

Total E immunoglobulin concentration and disease duration

A higher total IgE concentration was observed in the group of patients with a longer period of skin changes (above 5 years). Its median was 114 kU/l while in the group with a shorter disease duration it was 57.7 kU/l. The total IgE concentration and psoriasis duration is presented in Figure 4.

AsIgE concentration in the examined group and control group: airborne allergens, food allergens

A higher concentration of allergy-specific IgE antibodies was more often observed in the examined group in comparison to the control group but the most frequently observed values were present in 1–3 class. The most common airborne allergens were birch, timothy and rye pollens. A higher concentration of IgE related to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Cladosporium herbarium and Alternaria alternata was observed (Figures 5–7).

Hypersensitivity to the most common contact allergens

There were no statistically significant differences between frequency of positive results of epidermal tests with reference to the control group. This situation concerns the European Standard and atopic patch tests.

Discussion

Within the last years, some issues concerning the existence of various antibody classes in the case of patients with psoriasis including IgE antibodies, responsible for atopic reactions have been already discussed [7–11]. In previous studies, serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in controls (42% vs. 10%; p < 0.05) [12]. It was observed in psoriasis that a total E immunoglobulin concentration was higher in patients with a more serious disease clinical picture, e.g. psoriatic erythroderma. Li’s research showed the serum IgE level was found to be elevated in 81.3% of patients with psoriatic erythroderma in comparison to 6.3% of psoriasis vulgaris patients as controls [13]. Our study shows that this phenomenon may occur in patients who suffer from mild and moderate disease and the antibody titre correlates with intensity of dermal changes (PASI scale). In Ding’s research, the levels of IgE were analysed in generalized pustular psoriasis and psoriasis vulgaris patients. The percentage of patients with pustular psoriasis who had increased IgE levels was significantly higher than that of patients with psoriasis vulgaris [14]. The total IgE concentration and allergy-specific IgE concentration in our study was related to the intensification of disease symptoms. The most common airborne allergens were pollens of birch, motherwort, rye and timothy. The presence of a higher IgE concentration against food allergens such as potato and carrot was observed. It is worth emphasising that in this case we can observe cross reactions e.g. birch and motherwort pollens can cross with potato or carrot allergens. The research concerning contact hypersensitivity in psoriasis patients have not shown univocal results. There are some weakly expressed data about contact hypersensitivity in psoriasis patients contrary to strongly expressed hypersensitivity connected with contact allergens in patients with palmo-plantar pustulosis [15–17]. Our research shows that there is weakly expressed contact hypersensitivity in psoriasis patients. More common were: nickel sulphate, cobalt chloride and lanolin. In Fleming’s research, we can find very often: nickel, aromatic mixture, birch tar, rosin and neomycin. However, any significant differences concerning the results were noted [18, 19]. Bangsgaard’s research showed weaker contact hypersensitivity in psoriasis with reference to the control group without psoriasis [20]. Compatible research results show the complexity of this phenomenon. Some authors suggest that incorrect T lymphocytes function may influence the handicapped reaction to the allergens [21]. Moreover, a disordered function of Langerhans cells in the epidermis may have some influence on the skin reaction to contact allergens [22]. There is also some evidence about the reverse relation between some autoimmunological diseases and contact allergy [23–25]. Allergy diagnosis requires accuracy and appropriate selection of psoriasis patients. We expected some technical or interpretation problems in those patients. However, we did not observe any atypical skin reactions or Koebner phenomena. Taking into consideration a big amount of allergic reactions in the general population (20–40%), we should remember that the same number may concern psoriasis patients. Data from the ECAP programme show that we belong to one of the most “allergic” societies worldwide. Even 40% of people declare this fact which is dependent on the region and gender [26]. Allergy, similarly to psoriasis, is a serious problem for educational and professional efficiency.

Conclusions

Weakly expressed hypersensitivity to some inhalant, food and contact allergens in patients suffering from psoriasis is not strong enough to conclude about the connection between allergy reactions and psoriasis pathogenesis. However, the hypersensitivity correlates with intensification of the disease symptoms.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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