Association between Micronutrient Levels and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Cheng-Han Wu,Efrem Eren,Michael Roger Ardern-Jones,Carina Venter

doi:10.1155/2015/926167

Abstract

Previous reports have suggested a possible role for vitamin D in the etiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU); however, little information is available regarding the role of other micronutrients. We, therefore, analyzed vitamin D, vitamin B12, and ferritin levels in CSU patients (n = 282) from a preexisting database at Southampton General Hospital. Data were compared against mean micronutrient levels of the general population of the UK, obtained from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Vitamin D levels of CSU patients were found to be higher than those of the general UK population (P = 0.001). B12 levels were lower in patients with CSU (P < 0.001) than in the general population. Ferritin levels were found to be lower in male CSU patients than in the general male population (P = 0.009). This association between low B12 and iron levels and CSU might indicate a causal link, with micronutrient replacement as a potential therapeutic option.

Highlights

Vitamin D has been suggested to play a role in the aetiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) [1,2,3]
Of the 1616 patients extracted from the Southampton General Hospital (SGH) database, 282 patients were identified as having CSU
Vitamin D levels were higher in the CSU patients than in the general UK population

Summary

Introduction

Vitamin D has been suggested to play a role in the aetiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) [1,2,3]. The roles of other micronutrients in the development of CSU are unclear. In our clinical immunology practice, we routinely screen for micronutrient deficiencies in patients referred for allergy, immunology, and CSU. Mete et al studied 33 patients with CSU and reported lower vitamin B12 levels in these patients compared to healthy controls [4]. Guarneri et al reported significant improvement in urticaria after iron supplementation in a subgroup of CSU patients with iron deficiency and poor response to antihistamine. A higher prevalence of iron deficiency in CSU patients compared with healthy individuals was reported in this study [5]

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

Conflict of Interests