Background: There is a paucity of studies reporting the presence of systemic symptoms and micronutrient deficiency in patients with chronic urticaria, and these data are lacking in a Canadian population. Objective: To report the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency in a Canadian patient population diagnosed with chronic urticaria. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 100 adult patients with chronic urticaria was conducted. Demographic characteristics, medications, presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, and laboratory findings were abstracted from electronic medical records. Results: Seventy percent of patients with chronic urticaria reported experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common symptom identified was gastroesophageal reflux (42%). Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency, defined as serum vitamin B12 level ≤ 250 pmol/L, was identified in 31.7% of the patients. Among those patients with urticaria and vitamin B12, 68% reported gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions: This is the first study to provide data on the high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency in a Canadian population diagnosed with chronic urticaria. Early recognition and management of systemic symptoms and micronutrient deficiency may lead to a more comprehensive approach to management of these patients. Trial registration Not applicable.
CITATION STYLE
Abadeh, A., Herman, S. M., & Abdalian, R. (2023). The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and cobalamin deficiency in patients with chronic urticaria. Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00771-w
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