title: Correlation of quality of life with clinical parameters and eosinophilic cation protein levels in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic and mucosal roles of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) are known. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of clinical parameters and quality of life with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in grass pollen-sensitive children with seasonal AR.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 31 children with AR and 18 healthy controls aged between 5 and 15 years. ECP levels in nasal lavage fluid and serum were measured. AR symptom scores were calculated and the pediatric rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (PRQLQ) was filled in for all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum and nasal ECP levels (ng/ml) were significantly higher in the patient group (p < 0.05 for both). In the AR group, the mean clinical symptom score was 7.3 +/- 2.2, while the total PRQLQ score, activity limitation, symptoms and emotional function domains were 2.5 +/- 0.9, 3.0 +/- 1.1, 2.5 +/- 1.2 and 2.6 +/- 1.1, respectively. The total clinical symptom score and disease duration showed a significant correlation with the total PRQLQ score (p = 0.00 and 0.003, respectively). However, neither nasal lavage nor serum ECP levels were significantly correlated with symptom score, duration of disease, PRQLQ total score or domains (p > 0.05 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results may indicate the absence of a correlation between clinical status and quality of life and levels of ECP in tissues with allergic inflammation.
authors: Department of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. hyukselefe@hotmail.com
authors: Hasan
authors: H
authors: Yuksel
authors: Ozge
authors: O
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Ayhan
authors: A
authors: Sogut
authors: Pelin
authors: P
authors: Ertan
authors: Ece
authors: E
authors: Onur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein