CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC URTICARIA

SUGGESTED/HYPOTHETICAL ROLE OF ELEVATED SERUM TSH IN PATHOGENESIS OF CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC URTICARIA

Abstract

Objectives: Urticaria is a condition in which itchy red bumps or wheals appear
on the skin unexpectedly. There are two main types ,acute condition which last for up to six
weeks while chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) last for more than six weeks. There are multiple
factors in causation of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) and therefore association with elevated
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was evaluated in this study. Study Design: Prospective
case control. Setting: Department of Physiology Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi.
Period: December 2004 to January 2006. Subjects / Patients and Methods: A total number of
ninety subjects/patients were enrolled. They were divided in three groups having 30 subjects/
patients in each group. Group A consist of diagnosed cases of chronic urticaria. Group B
consist of diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism and group C consist of age and sex matched
healthy subjects. In all selected patients/subjects, serum antithyroid autoantibodies and thyroid
profile (serum TSH, T3 and T4), complete blood count, IgE levels, ESR were done. All patients
were selected from dermatology and medical units of civil hospital, Agha Khan Hospital, JPMC
and community health clinics in Karachi. Results: Out of 90 patients, 47(78%) were found to
have chronic urticaria compared to control. Out of 47 patients , serum TSH (thyroid stimulating
hormone) was found to be elevated in 20(42.6%) patients with or without hypothyroidism
compared to control group.(P <0.001) Conclusion: Statistically significant association was
found between elevated serum TSH and chronic urticaria symptoms.