Immunoglobulin E and its significance in chronic dermatoses (psoriasis and vitiligo)

The aim of the present study was to specify changes in immunoglobulin E (IgE) in patients with chronic dermatoses (psoriasis and vitiligo). The study involved 168 patients with psoriasis and vitiligo, aged 18 to 65 years, undergoing treatment at the Karakalpak branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Center for Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology. IgE levels were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (“Vector Best”, Russian Federation). Analysis of the results has revealed an increase in IgE levels in a certain number of patients with different clinical forms of psoriasis. It was established that the IgE level was higher during the progressive stage (191.8 ± 42.95 IU/mL), being 16-fold higher than the values in control group. At the stationary stage, the IgE level in the serum was 10 times higher than the control values, averaging 116.72 ± 20.55 IU/mL. Hences, our studies have shown that the patients with psoriasis living in the Aral region exhibit a significant increase in IgE concentration in blood serum (13 to19-fold over controls). The highest increase in serum IgE was found in patients with erythroderma (19 times over normal range). Analysis of IgE levels in vitiligo revealed an increase in a smaller subgroup of patients. Analysis of patients with elevated IgE levels in vitiligo has shown that these patients had concomitant allergic conditions, i.e., allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. The conducted studies confirm the severity of changes in immune system parameters, including compensatory and reagin-mediated mechanisms, along with activation of cellular autoimmune processes in patients with dermatoses, which vary in intensity depending on clinical severity of the condition. When analysing the changes in IgE levels depending on clinical form of psoriasis, an increase in IgE levels was found in all clinical forms of psoriasis. The highest increase in serum IgE was observed in patients with erythroderma (230 ± 76.91 IU/ mL), which is 19 times higher than in practically healthy individuals. In psoriatic arthropathy (185 ± 44.36 IU/mL) and onychodystrophy (178.33 ± 43.43 IU/mL), it was 15 times higher. In the patients with psoriasis vulgaris, IgE level was 13 times higher (157.77 ± 34.61 IU/mL), and in the palmoplantar form 8 times higher than in controls (95.4 ± 23.05 IU/mL). Upon study of IgE levels in vitiligo, an increase was found in 27% of the total group, whereas 63% showed normal IgE levels. Analysis in the patients with elevated IgE levels revealed that these patients had concomitant allergic pathology manifesting withallergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. The patient with the highest IgE level had a family history of psoriasis, i.e., his father had psoriasis.