title: Serum periostin level is not associated with allergic rhinitis or allergic sensitization in Korean children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Periostin is a matricellular protein, synthesized in the airway epithelium and induced by interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. The significance of periostin as a biomarker of T helper type 2 cell (Th2)-induced airway inflammation, and as a measure of the response to Th2-targeted therapy, has recently been highlighted. We explored the relationship between serum periostin and allergic rhinitis in Korean children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for fifth and sixth grade children from six randomly selected elementary schools located in Jeju and Seogwipo City, Korea, were investigated. Serum periostin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sex, school grade, body mass index, and presence of allergic nasal symptoms were obtained via a self-reported survey and skin prick testing was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between groups, when stratification was applied according to sex, grade, presence of atopy, and presence of allergic nasal symptoms. Sex and body mass index were significantly associated with serum periostin levels in multivariate linear regression analysis. However, allergic rhinitis was not associated with serum periostin levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allergic rhinitis or allergic sensitization in Korean children did not influence serum periostin levels. Further studies are required to investigate the significance of serum periostin levels in pediatric allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea; The Environmental Health Center (Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis), Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: The Environmental Health Center (Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis), Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Keun-Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: The Environmental Health Center (Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis), Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: The Environmental Health Center (Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis), Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea; Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: juwankangmd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ju Wan
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D056910:Republic of Korea; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000097:blood*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C512835:POSTN protein, human
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Allergic sensitization; Children; Korean; Periostin