title: Correlation between serum interleukin-31 level and the severity of disease in children with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, characterized by intense itch, typical localization and a specific image of skin lesions. Pathogenesis of pruritus in AD is not fully understood, but recent studies emphasize the role of interleukin-31 (IL-31). This relatively recently described cytokine is considered to be a potential mediator inducing pruritus in AD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the correlation of serum IL-31 level and the disease severity in children with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five children (16 girls and 9 boys) with AD aged from 4 months to 17 years (mean age: 4.2 years) were enrolled in the study. Disease severity in children with AD was assessed using the SCORAD (Severity SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis) index. Serum IL-31 levels were measured using ELISA with standard kits from EIAab R&D Systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-31 level was significantly higher in AD children than in healthy children. There was no statistic correlation between serum IL-31 level and the disease severity or itch intensity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The disease severity and itch intensity do not correlate with serum IL-31 level in children with atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Preventive Cardiology and Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Krzysztof Zeman MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siniewicz-Luzeńczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Preventive Cardiology and Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Krzysztof Zeman MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stańczyk-Przyłuska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Preventive Cardiology and Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Krzysztof Zeman MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeman
keywords: SCORAD; atopic dermatitis; children; interleukin 31; pruritus