Urinary eosinophil protein X in children with atopic asthma.
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between urinary eosinophil protein X (uEPX) and asthma symptoms, lung function, and other markers of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthmatic school children.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed in 180 steroid dependent atopic children with stable moderately severe asthma, who were stable on 200 or 500 microg of fluticasone per day. uEPX was measured in a single sample of urine and was normalized for creatinine concentration (uEPX/c). Symptom scores were kept on a diary card. FEV1 and PD20 methacholine were measured. Sputum induction was performed in 49 and FE(NO) levels measured in 24 children.


RESULTS
We found an inverse correlation between uEPX/c and FEV1 (r = -.20, P = .01) and a borderline significant correlation between uEPX/c and PD20 methacholine (r = -.15, P = .06). Symptom score, %eosinophils and ECP in induced sputum and FE(NO) levels did not correlate with uEPX/c.


CONCLUSIONS
uEPX/c levels did not correlate with established markers of asthma severity and eosinophilic airway inflammation in atopic asthmatic children.
Nuijsink
M
M
Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Juliana Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 60605, 2506 LP The Hague, The Netherlands.
Hop
W C J
WC
Sterk
P J
PJ
Duiverman
E J
EJ
Hiemstra
P S
PS
de Jongste
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin / Q000652:urine*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism
D000730:Androstadienes; D003404:Creatinine; D000068298:Fluticasone; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin