Chronic Pruritus Associated with Helicobacter Pylori

Background: Helicobacter pylori is an established cause of gastritis and has been implicated in extradigestive diseases. Objective: To investigate the role of H. pylori in patients with unexplained refractory pruritus. Methods: Ten patients with severe pruritus unresponsive to conventional therapy w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery 2002-03, Vol.6 (2), p.103-108
Main Authors: Kandyil, Roshini, Satya, Nadia S., Swerlick, Robert A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
Anti-Ulcer Agents - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Breath Tests
Chronic Disease
Dermatology
Drug Therapy, Combination
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Gastritis - diagnosis
Gastritis - drug therapy
Gastritis - microbiology
Gastroscopy
Helicobacter Infections - complications
Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis
Helicobacter Infections - drug therapy
Helicobacter pylori
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pruritus - drug therapy
Pruritus - microbiology
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
Urea
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Summary:Background: Helicobacter pylori is an established cause of gastritis and has been implicated in extradigestive diseases. Objective: To investigate the role of H. pylori in patients with unexplained refractory pruritus. Methods: Ten patients with severe pruritus unresponsive to conventional therapy were evaluated for active H. pylori infection by H. pylori serology followed by either esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or urea breath test. Of the 10 patients, 8 were found to have active infection. All 10 received anti-H. pylori antibiotic therapy and were reevaluated for relief of pruritus. Results: Of 8 patients with active H. pylori infection, 87.5% (7/8) had some type of pruritus relief after triple therapy. Of these, 62.5% (5/8) had complete relief and 25% (2/8) had temporary relief of pruritus. The remaining 12.5% (1/8) did not respond. Two control patients without active H. pylori infection had no relief of pruritus with therapy. Conclusions: We have identified a population of patients with refractory pruritus and active H. pylori infection whose pruritus resolved after eradication of H. pylori.
ISSN:1203-4754
1615-7109
DOI:10.1177/120347540200600202