Evaluation of Autoimmunity in Patients with Chronic Urticaria

Lee, Ji Young; Park, Chan Wook; Lee, Cheol Heon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although urticaria is a common disorder that affects as many as 25% of all people at some time during their lives, its etiology is unknown in most of cases, especially in chronic urticaria. Recently, autoimmune diseases, especially thyroid disorders, are thought to be related to the occurrence of chronic urticaria.
OBJECTIVE
We attempted to find the possible association of autoimmunity, especially thyroid autoimmunity, with the occurrence of chronic urticaria.
METHODS
One hundred thirteen patients with chronic urticaria were examined for their past medical histories of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, other autoimmune disorders and blood examination for CBC, HBsAg, C3, C4, anti-thyroid antibodies (anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal), rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), cryoglobulin and autologous skin test.
RESULTS
1. The male and female ratio was 1:1.2 (male 52, female 61) and the highest incidence of age was in 21-50 years. Atopic diathesis was described in 21.2% (24 patients) and dermographism was found in 38.9% (44 patients). 2. Thyroid disorders were reported in 2 patients, but other autoimmune diseases were not present in the other patients. 3. Positivity to anti-thyroid antibodies was shown in 22.1% (25 patients), 18.6% (21 patients) to anti-thyroglobulin antibody, 12.4% (14 patients) to anti-microsomal antibody and 8.8% (10 patients) to both. Positivity to RF was 2.7% (3 patients) and to ANA was 0.9% (1 patient). 4. Positive result of autologous skin test was found in 27.4% (31 patients). 5. Increase of WBC count was in 9.7% (11 patients), of eosinophil count in 2.7% (3 patients) and E.S.R. was increased in 22.1% (25 patients). Positivity to HBsAg was in 1.8% (2 patients) and the result of C3/C4 in 37.2% (42 patients) was lower than the normal value.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that autoimmunity including thyroid autoimmunity could be related to the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria.