Original paper
Anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG titre in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on urticaria

Introduction: Chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by hives and pruritus lasting for more than 6 weeks. Almost half of CU cases are classified as idiopathic (CIU). The condition may be triggered by Helicobacter pylori (HP).

Aim: The aim of our research was to assess anti-HP IgG titre in CIU patients compared to controls and to evaluate the effect of HP eradication on urticaria.

Material and methods: The analysis covered 62 CIU patients and 55 urticaria-free individuals. Serum anti-HP IgG was performed in 50 CIU subjects and all controls. The CIU patients with gastric complaints and anti-HP IgG(+) were divided into two subgroups, of which one received standard antiurticarial treatment (A) while the other was offered standard treatment plus HP eradication (B). After a 12-month follow-up, subgroups were reviewed for treatment response.

Results: Positive anti-HP IgG titre incidence, mean and median anti-HP IgG levels in CIU patients and in the controls were as follows: 68% vs. 67.27% (χ² = 0.0063, p = 0.9366), 2.73 vs. 2.29 and 1.72 vs. 1.69 (p = 0.4288). AUC under the ROC curve for urticaria prediction based on anti-HP IgG level was 0.545 (SE = 0.057, 95% CI [0.434, 0.657]). On the follow-up interview, rates of improvement, no improvement and aggravation of urticaria symptoms in subgroup A were as follows: 60%, 40% and 0%, respectively, and in subgroup B: 50%, 45%, 5%, respectively (χ² = 0.6635, p = 0.7177, Fisher’s exact test p = 1.0000).

Conclusions: Anti-HP IgG titre is similar in CIU patients and in urticaria-free controls. Helicobacter pylori eradication has no effect on urticaria in anti-HP IgG positive CIU patients with gastric complaints.