engleski

Inflammatory biomarkers in the menagement of childhood asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in which different imunocompetent cells are involved. Inflammation in asthma is also a systemic phenomenon as well as systemic inflammation influences the control of asthma. Based on this facts inflammatory biomarkers could have an important role in the management of asthma. To investigate the role of different biomarkers of inflammation in the management of childhood asthma. 61 consecutive asthmatic children (age 11±4, 31 girls) were studied. We assessed control of disease (based on lung function, symptoms, rescue medication use), and divided them in two groups (controlled [C], n=28 ; and non-controlled [NC], n=33). Exhaled NO, hs-CRP and differential leukocyte count in peripheral blood were measured. Exhaled NO (NC, 60, 9 ppb vs C 29, 4 ppb), mean serum hs-CRP levels (1, 52 mg/L vs 0, 96 mg/L) and eosinophil count (9, 1/uL vs 4, 7/uL) were significantly higher in children with uncontrolled asthma (P<0.01 for all). Lymphocyte and basophile counts were significantly higher in controlled asthmatics (P<0.05). Exhaled NO levels were significantly correlated with eosinophil count, use of salbutamol and IgE levels and inversely with hs-CRP level and lymphocyte count (N=61, P<0.01 for all, multiple regression analysis). Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with monocyte count and inversely with lymphocyte count and exhaled NO (N=61, P<0.05 for all, multiple regression analysis). Based on our results it can be suggested that different biomarkers show different dimensions of inflammation in asthmatics. Combining them could be useful in identifying etiological factors for uncontrolled asthma in children.

childhood asthma; biomarkers; inflamation

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