Evaluation of frequency of irritable bowel syndrome in patients with chronic urticaria

Abstract

Aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Urticaria is a disease with papules and plaques accompanied by pruritus and edema. In this study, the relationship between these two diseases, which have many common features, was evaluated. Material and Methods: Patients with urticaria and volunteers who did not have any dermatologic disease were included in the study. Participants were assessed for diagnosis of IBS according to Rome III diagnostic criteria. In addition, findings supporting IBS diagnosis, and fecal shape and consistency were evaluated. Results: Fifty urticaria patients (18 males - 36% and 32 females - 64%) and 70 volunteers (38 males - 54.3% and 32 females - 45.7%) were evaluated. The mean age of the urticaria group was 34.8 ± 15.0; the mean age of the control group was 25.8 ± 10.9. IBS was detected in 34 (68%) patients in the urticaria group; and in 22 (31.4%) controls (p <0.001). Diagnosis-supporting findings were more frequently detected in the group of urticaria (p values respectively: 0.037; < 0.001; 0.036; 0.050). It was observed that the higher the serum IgE level, the higher the incidence of IBS in chronic urticaria patients ( p: 0.02; eta: 0.206). Conclusion: IBS was observed more frequently in urticaria patients. Diagnosis-supporting findings for IBS were found more frequently in urticaria patients. Serum IgE values also seem to be associated with IBS. These results indicate an association between chronic urticaria and IBS. For this reason, the presence of IBS in patients with chronic urticaria diagnosis should be questioned.