title: High levels of urinary eosinophil protein X in young asthmatic children predict persistent atopic asthma.
abstract: Levels of urinary eosinophil protein X (U-EPX) and eosinophil counts were measured in 32 children (12-36 months of age) who were hospitalized for acute asthma, and the U-EPX levels were measured in 20 healthy children of the same age. The ability of these parameters to predict persistent asthma (at least one wheezing episode during the last 6 months) and atopic asthma (a positive skin-prick test [SPT]), was evaluated at a follow-up 2 years later. On admission, levels of U-EPX were higher in children with asthma (median: 120 microg/mmol of creatinine; quartiles: 67-123 microg/mmol of creatinine) than in controls (60 microg/mmol of creatinine, 38-74 microg/mmol of creatinine; p< 0.001). The U-EPX level was higher in those with persistent atopic asthma at follow-up (173 microg/mmol of creatinine, 123-196 microg/mmol of creatinine, n = 16), than in those with persistent non-atopic asthma (73 microg/mmol creatinine, 46-105 microg/mmol of creatinine, n = 8; p< 0.05), and higher than in those with transient asthma (no symptoms at follow-up) (106 microg/mmol creatinine; 42-167 microg/mmol of creatinine, n = 8; p< 0.05). By multiple logistic regression analysis, U-EPX was the only parameter able to predict persistent atopic asthma; eosinophil counts, parental atopy, age or gender could not. Parental atopy was the only parameter predictive for persistent asthma, regardless of atopic status. In conclusion, levels of U-EPX, but not eosinophil counts, measured in young children hospitalized with acute asthma can predict the persistence of atopic asthma 2 years later.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. okyn@sir.no
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Øymar
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000652:urine*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000652:urine*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000652:urine; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000652:urine*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003404:Creatinine; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; D012260:Ribonucleases