Publication:

Can vitamin D, B12, folic acid, inflammatory markers and H. pylori effective in the process of chronic spontaneous urticaria?

Background Etiopathogenesis in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is not completely clear. Some vitamins, inflammatory markers and even some microorganisms have been held responsible for this process. There are limited number of publications in this field in the literature. The aim of this study is to shed light on the etiology of chronic urticaria.

Methods This study included a total of 90 patients that 45 with CSU patients and 45 healthy subjects who admitted to Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Internal Medicine outpatient clinics of University of Health Sciences, Bursa Postgraduate Research and Training Hospital between October 2018 and June 2019. They were between the ages of 18-55. Both groups were examined for CRP, Procalcitonin (PCT), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody.

Results ESR, CRP, PCT, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels were not statistically different according to the groups (p>0.05). Folic acid levels were significantly different between groups (p=0.026; p 0.05). In urticaria group, sufficient vitamin D ratio was higher in who were H. pylori antibody negative. In healthy group; insufficient and sufficient vitamin D ratio was higher in who were H. pylori antibody positive.

Conclusions There is no direct correlation between urticaria and Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, folic acid deficiencies and inflammatory biomarkers. CRP, ESR and PCT levels may be generally normal as in patients with urticaria. However, CRP may also increase slightly in patients with severe urticaria. It may be wrong to see H. pylori as a direct cause of urticaria.