Urticaria in Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins

Abstract

Aim. To identify risk factors for urticaria, to determine the relative proportion of the susceptibility to urticaria that is due to genetic factors in an adult clinical twin sample, and to further determine whether the genetic susceptibility to urticaria overlaps with the genetic susceptibility to atopic diseases. Methods. A total of 256 complete twin pairs and 63 single twins, who were selected from sibships with self-reported asthma via a questionnaire survey of 21,162 adult twins from the Danish Twin Registry, were clinically interviewed about a history of urticaria and examined for atopic diseases. Data were analysed with Cox proportional hazards regression and variance components models. Results. A total of 151 individuals (26%) had a history of urticaria, whereas 24 (4%) had had symptoms within the past year. Female sex, HR = 2.09 (1.46–2.99), P = 0.000; hay fever, HR = 1.92 (1.36–2.72), P = 0.000; and atopic dermatitis, HR = 1.44 (1.02–2.06), P = 0.041 were significant risk factors for urticaria. After adjustment for sex and age at onset of urticaria in the index twin, the risk of urticaria was increased in MZ cotwins relative to DZ cotwins, HR = 1.42 (0.63–3.18), P = 0.394. Genetic factors explained 45% (16–74%), P = 0.005, of the variation in susceptibility to urticaria. The genetic correlation between urticaria and hay fever was 0.45 (0.01–0.89), P = 0.040. Conclusions. Susceptibility to urticaria is partly determined by genetic factors. Urticaria is more common in women, and in subjects with hay fever and atopic dermatitis, and shares genetic variance with hay fever.

Spectrum of skin diseases presented at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, southwest Nigeria

“…The prevalence of urticaria documented in the present study (11.0%) is higher than in all past surveys 5,6,8 but is comparable with the 8.8% documented by Zuberbier et al 25 The higher prevalence of urticaria among females (64.3%) in the current series is similar to the 70.3% reported by other workers. 25,26 Similarly, Thomsen et al 26 have previously shown that female gender, AD, and hay fever are risk factors for urticaria. New studies are needed to confirm other associations, such as those with monozygotic twin status, metabolic syndrome, 27 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B50, anti-thyroid peroxidase enzyme, and presence of antinuclear antibodies among Nigerians.…”

Urticaria

“…Risk factors reported for AU include high population density 15 and personal 32 and parental history of allergic diseases 2,33 . Higher prevalence and/or higher risk of having AU may be associated with poverty and lower socio-economic status 14,15 , whereas risk for CU was linked to high income and socio-economic status in some studies 2, 23,34 but not all 35,36 .…”

“…Higher prevalence and/or higher risk of having AU may be associated with poverty and lower socio-economic status 14,15 , whereas risk for CU was linked to high income and socio-economic status in some studies 2, 23,34 but not all 35,36 . In studies involving twins, genetic factors could partly explain susceptibility to urticaria 32 . The role of polymorphisms of several genes, including TNFRS11A, TBXA2R and PLA2G4A 37 , has been suggested in susceptibility to AU and/or angioedema induced by multiple NSAIDs.…”

Correlation between double‐stranded DNA and acute urticaria

“…Most cases are acute, lasting no more than 6 weeks, and can be precipitated by multiple factors, including intercurrent illness, medicines, food, and altitude. [2][3][4][5] Cutaneous mast cells play an essential etiologic role. 6 IgE is thought to bind to CD23 and FceRI on mast cells and other immune effector cells.…”