[Pathogenic and clinical significance of Helicobacter pylori infection in chronic urticaria and angioedema]

Urticaria and angioedema are one of the most frequent skin diseases, nevertheless no etiologic factors have been found in a large number of cases. This review summarizes the available medical literature from Medline regarding Helicobacter pylori and mentioned disease. Different studies have shown a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic urticaria, and occasional remission of the skin lesions after eradication therapy. However there are several papers, which support lack of relationship between H. pylori infection and the course of urticaria and angioedema. Thus we need further randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled studies including adequate diagnostic schedules, sufficient eradication treatment protocols, confirmation of eradication, and adequate control groups to establish a role of H. pylori in urticaria and angioedema.