[Odontogenic foci--possible etiology of urticaria?].

Recent studies have shown that chronic odontogenic infections could pose a risk for myocardial infarction, cerebral ischemia, and arteriosclerosis. However, the correlation between urticaria and dental infections has rarely been examined so far. Therefore, we performed a case-control study using a standardized questionnaire and examination. We investigated 66 patients suffering from an acute or chronic urticaria and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy patients as a control group. Dental status was determined by a so-called total dental index (TDI) which primarily reflects caries, periodontitis, periapical lesions, and nonvital and missing teeth. All 66 patients were referred from the department of dermatology. After their treatment in hospital, all patients received a questionnaire with questions on intensity and localization of the urticaria. The TDI of the urticaria patients was slightly better ( n=66; 2.6+/-1.98) than that of the control group ( n=65, TDI=3.3+/-1.86). Subsequently, it was determined if the urticaria had receded after dental treatment. In conclusion, chronic dental infections do not seem to correlate with an increased risk for urticaria.