Helicobacter pylori infection: prevalence in chronic urticaria patients and incidence of autoimmune urticaria (study in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta).

Aim: to determine the prevalence of Hp infection in patients with chronic urticaria (CU) and to evaluate the result of autologous serum skin test (ASST) in CU patients with Hp infections. Methods: in this cross-sectional study, 16 patients with chronic urticaria and 16 non-urticaria volunteers were investigated (matched for age and sex). All subjects were examined for Hp infection with the 13C-urea breath test. Autologous serum skin test was performed in patients with proven Hp infection. Results: Helicobacter pylori was detected in 12.5% of patients and 0% of the control group. There was no signicant difference between the two groups (p = 0.484 using Fisher exact test). Autologous serum skin test was positive in 1 of 2 CU patients with Hp infection. Conclusion: in this study, there was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of Hp infection between CU patients and controls. Autologous serum skin test was positive in 1 of 2 CU patients with Hp infection.