Association between Micronutrient Levels and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:926167. doi: 10.1155/2015/926167. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Abstract

Previous reports have suggested a possible role for vitamin D in the etiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU); however, little information is available regarding the role of other micronutrients. We, therefore, analyzed vitamin D, vitamin B12, and ferritin levels in CSU patients (n = 282) from a preexisting database at Southampton General Hospital. Data were compared against mean micronutrient levels of the general population of the UK, obtained from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Vitamin D levels of CSU patients were found to be higher than those of the general UK population (P = 0.001). B12 levels were lower in patients with CSU (P < 0.001) than in the general population. Ferritin levels were found to be lower in male CSU patients than in the general male population (P = 0.009). This association between low B12 and iron levels and CSU might indicate a causal link, with micronutrient replacement as a potential therapeutic option.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Female
  • Ferritins / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Micronutrients / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Statistics as Topic
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Urticaria / blood*
  • Urticaria / diagnosis
  • Urticaria / epidemiology*
  • Vitamin B 12 / blood*
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Micronutrients
  • Vitamin D
  • Ferritins
  • Vitamin B 12