[Frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic urticaria of Puebla University Hospital].

BACKGROUND

Chronic urticaria may be continuous or recurrent according to its form of appearance. Within the diseases associated to chronic urticaria there are mycosis, parasitism and bacterial infections where Helicobacter pylori stands out. This has been related to the allergic diseases promoting a Th2 response.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of infection caused by Helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic urticaria of the allergic and clinical immunology service of the Puebla University Hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional, prolective and observational study was made in adult patients, between 18 and 60 years old, with diagnosis of chronic urticaria. Inhalated and food skin prick test were made to all the patients. The infection by Helicobacter pylori was documented by serology, fecal antigen, endoscopy with fast test of urease and histological study. Descriptive statistics was implemented such as frequency, percentage, central tendency and dispersion measures.

RESULTS

30 patients were included; 83.3% were women. The average age was 37.8 years (SD 13.2). The most frequent type of chronic urticaria was the persistent one, representing 56.7%. The frequency of positivism of IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori represented the 60.0%, for IgM 33.3% and for fecal antigen 60.0%, the combined IgG, IgM, fecal antigen, fast test of ureasa and histological study was of 83%.

CONCLUSION

The high frequency of infection caused by Helicobacter pylori in the patient with chronic urticaria suggests a possible role in its etiopathogeny, extending the therapeutic possibilities.