HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN MULTIPLE FORMS OF DERMATOSIS

Introduction: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), idiopathic generalized pruritus (IGP), and rosacea are significant dermatological diseases of unknown etiology that adversely affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in patients with CSU, IGP, and rosacea and to establish whether signs of dermatological disease improve with anti-HP eradication treatment in HP-positive patients. Materials and methods: Sixty patients (22 CSU, 17 IGP, and 21 rosacea) and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. The C-14 urea breath test (C-14-UBT) was administered for diagnosis of HP. Patients with positive C-14-UBT results were administered amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg and lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. At the end of this treatment, lansoprazole was maintained alone for another 2 weeks. Patients were examined for signs of clinical improvement at the 2nd week and the 1st, 3nd, and 6th months after this treatment. Results: Nineteen (86.4%) patients with CSU, 13 (76.5%) patients with IGP, and 16 (76.2%) patients with rosacea tested positive for HP on the basis of C-14-UBT. Fourteen (46.7%) individuals in the control group tested positive for HP on the basis of C-14-UBT. Statistical analysis revealed greater HP positivity in the patient group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Almost complete improvement of clinical signs was observed after eradication treatment for HP in 3 (15.8%) patients with CSU, 3 (23.1%) with IGP and 6 (15.8%) with rosacea. Conclusion: HP may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of CSU, IGP, and rosacea. In selected cases, HP eradication may have beneficial effects on the course of the disease.