Effect of the Mediterranean diet in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria often want to be informed about dietary modifications. There have been many studies evaluating dietary approaches in chronic spontaneous urticaria. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and chronic spontaneous urticaria. METHODS:In this cross-sectional case-control observational study, 100 patients (70 males and 30 females, mean age: 38.6±13.0 years) with chronic spontaneous urticaria and age-and sex-matched 100 healthy controls 70 males and 30 females, mean age: 38.7±13.8 years) were enrolled. A validated 14-item questionnaire evaluating the Mediterranean diet score was used for the assessment of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The severity and the control of chronic spontaneous urticaria were assessed by Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days and Urticaria Control Test, respectively. RESULTS:The mean Mediterranean diet score in the patient group was 5.40±1.88, whereas in healthy controls it was 6.30±1.39 (p<0.001).The Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days score of the patients was negatively correlated with the Mediterranean diet score, whereas the Urticaria Control Test score was positively correlated. CONCLUSION:We reported that adherence to the Mediterranean diet may be an independent factor that decreases the risk of chronic spontaneous urticaria. It may also reduce the severity of chronic spontaneous urticaria symptoms.

Investigating causal relationships between the gut microbiota and inflammatory skin diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

“…In a cross-sectional study by Chen et al, 26 a Mediterranean diet that reduced the risk of urticaria was found to reduce the abundance of the potentially harmful bacterium Intestinibacter. 27 Dietary habits and medical conditions affect the composition of the gut microbiota, reducing the amount of variation that can be accounted for by genetic methods. Owing to the lack of data, we were unable to determine whether genetic factors were related to the confounding variables in this study.…”

“…Intestinibacter may exacerbate urticaria by inducing hypersensitivity reactions through LPS production; however, further research on this potential mechanism is necessary. In a cross‐sectional study by Chen et al., 26 a Mediterranean diet that reduced the risk of urticaria was found to reduce the abundance of the potentially harmful bacterium Intestinibacter 27 …”

Current insights on gut microbiome and chronic urticaria: progress in the pathogenesis and opportunities for novel therapeutic approaches

“…The urticaria activity score in CSU patients over 7 days was inversely associated with the Mediterranean diet score, while the urticaria control test score was positively correlated. 113 The study suggests that the Mediterranean diet’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help alleviate systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, 114 which contribute to the pathogenesis of CSU disease. In addition, adherence to the Mediterranean diet is linked to the restoration of balanced gut microbiota, with increases observed in Bacteroidetes and specific beneficial Clostridium groups, while decreases are noted in Proteobacteria and Bacillaceae phyla.…”