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 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.