Biomedical subjects

C Janson

Publications and source records attributed to C Janson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Eosinophil peroxidase: a new serum marker of atopy and bronchial hyper-responsiveness.

Do markers of eosinophil activation differ in their ability to detect subjects with atopy or bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR)? Comparisons of serum levels of eosinophil peroxidase (S-EPO), of eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP) and the blood eosinophil count (B-Eos) have been made between 154 subjects aged 20-44 years, participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Uppsala, Sweden. Subjects with atopy had significantly higher levels of S-EPO and S-ECP than those without atopy (P <0 center dot 001). Subjects with BHR had significantly higher levels of S-EPO (P <0 center dot 001) and B-Eos (P <0 center dot 01) than subjects without BHR. Persons reporting asthma-related symptoms had significantly higher levels of S-EPO and B-Eos than subjects without such symptoms (P <0 center dot 001 and P <0 center dot 01, respectively). Asthma symptom score correlated significantly to S-EPO (r = 0 center dot 26, P <0 center dot 01), S-ECP (r = 0 center dot 20, P <0 center dot 05) and B-Eos (r = 0 center dot 18, P <0 center dot 05). Finally, S-EPO was significantly more sensitive than S-ECP for detecting subjects with BHR (P <0 center dot 05) and significantly more sensitive than B-Eos for detecting both subjects with BHR and subjects with a combination of atopy and BHR (P <0 center dot 05). It is concluded that S-EPO is a promising marker with a higher sensitivity for BHR than S-ECP or B-Eos. Further studies are needed to define the value of S-EPO when following disease activity.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Prevalence of sensitization to food allergens in adult Swedes.

BACKGROUND: The results from a population study on respiratory symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in relation to symptoms of food intolerance and sensitization to food allergens are reported. METHODS: The study included 1,812 men and women, aged 20 to 44 years and residents in three areas of Sweden who participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. The prevalence of IgE sensitization to egg white, fish, wheat, peanut, soy, and milk was assayed by CAP-RAST and the prevalence of symptoms of food intolerance was determined by a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The study group included a random sample of 1,397 subjects from the general population at the three centers. Of these, 85 (6%) had specific IgE antibodies to one of the food allergens and 345 (25%) reported symptoms of food intolerance. After enrichment with subjects suffering from symptoms of asthma, the sample included a total of 1,812 individuals of which 144 subjects had specific IgE antibodies to one or more of the food allergens studied. Of these 144, 52% reported food intolerance but only 16% related the symptoms to any of the food allergens in the panel. Sensitization to food allergens was more common in atopic subjects, subjects reporting current asthma, and subjects with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (P < .001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for the degree of allergic sensitization, whether defined as the number of positive skin prick tests or as total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS: Although sensitization to food allergens is not uncommon in adults, the correlation to specific symptoms of food intolerance is weak. Sensitization to food allergens may have special relevance to asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Skin prick tests and specific IgE in adults from three different areas of Sweden.

The aims of this part of the European Respiratory Health Survey were to estimate the prevalence of atopic sensitization to inhalant allergens among adults in three different areas of Sweden and to investigate the association between sensitization and certain risk factors. Randomly selected subjects aged 20-46 years from Göteborg, Uppsala, and Västerbotten were investigated with the skin prick test (SPT), analyses for specific IgE antibodies in serum (specific IgE) and total serum immunoglobulin E (total IgE), and a questionnaire. SPT was performed in 1572 subjects and analyses of specific IgE in 1470. One or more positive SPT were found in 35.6% and one or more positive specific IgE in 31.7%-approximately the same values in all three areas. Birch, grass, cat, and dog were the most frequent sensitizing agents and occurred at similar prevalences, i.e., around 15%, in all areas. The SPT to mite was positive in 14.1% in Göteborg, 7.4% in Uppsala, and 7.9% in Västerbotten. A positive SPT to pellitory of the wall (Parietaria), not described previously in Sweden, was found in 3.4% in Göteborg. Living in Göteborg was independently associated with a higher risk of a positive SPT to mite and Parietaria. Heredity, male sex, and low age were independently associated with atopy. Birth in the Scandinavian countries was independently associated with sensitization to cat, whereas birth in other countries was associated with sensitization to mite. The overall prevalence of atopy was similar in the three Swedish areas, but the sensitizing allergens varied. There is an indication that sensitization is increasing in the population, as low age was associated with sensitization. Sensitization to cat, but not to mite, appears to be particularly important in persons born in the Scandinavian countries.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Increased prevalence of sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness in subjects with bronchial asthma: a population study of young adults in three European countries.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether asthma is associated with decreased quality of sleep and increased daytime sleepiness. The study involved a random population of 2,202 subjects supplemented by 459 subjects with suspected asthma, aged 20-45 yrs. The subjects were from Reykjavik (Iceland), Uppsala and Göteborg (Sweden) and Antwerp (Belgium), and participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. The investigation included a structured interview, methacholine challenge, skinprick tests and a questionnaire on sleep disturbances. Participants in Iceland and Sweden also estimated their sleep times and made peak expiratory flow (PEF) recordings during a period of 1 week. Asthma was defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma with current asthma-related symptoms (n = 267). Difficulties inducing sleep (DIS) and early morning awakenings (EMA) were about twice as common, and daytime sleepiness 50% more common, in asthmatics compared with subjects without asthma. After adjusting for possible confounders, a positive association was found between asthma and: DIS (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8); EMA (OR = 2.0); daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.6); snoring (OR = 1.7); and self reported apnoeas (OR = 3.7). Allergic rhinitis, which was reported by 71% of subjects with asthma, was independently related to DIS (OR = 2.0) and daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.3). A significant correlation was found between the number of asthma-related symptoms and sleep disturbances (p < 0.001). Asthma is associated with decreased subjective quality of sleep and increased daytime sleepiness. Concurrent allergic rhinitis may be an important underlying cause of sleep impairment in asthmatic patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Habitual coughing and its associations with asthma, anxiety, and gastroesophageal reflux.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Coughing was studied in relation to different disorders and objective variables indicative of airway inflammation. SETTING: A random sample of 800 persons, aged 20 to 44 years, was chosen from a larger cohort of participants in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Uppsala Sweden; of these, 623 participated. This sample was enriched with 201 individuals who reported asthma-related symptoms or the use of asthma medication. METHODS: The study comprised a structured interview, including questions about habitual (productive and nonproductive) and nocturnal coughing and spirometry, methacholine challenge, peak flow diary, skin prick tests, and measurements of blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP). RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between productive coughing and asthma (adjusted odds ratios [OR] = 2.0), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.9), gastroesophageal reflux (OR = 4.4), smoking (OR = 1.9), and anxiety (OR = 1.8), while nonproductive coughing was related to female gender (OR = 1.8) and anxiety (OR = 1.7). Nocturnal coughing was positively correlated to female gender (OR = 1.8), smoking (OR = 1.9), and asthma (OR = 2.2). Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was positively related to productive coughing (p < 0.001), nonproductive coughing, and nocturnal coughing (p < 0.05). S-ECP was significantly higher in individuals with nonproductive coughing compared with subjects without habitual coughing (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that habitual coughing has a significant association with different disease categories.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Serology of chlamydia in relation to asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Antibodies to the 3 strains of chlamydia were measured in the sera of 197 subjects; 122 with asthma-related symptoms and 75 from the general population. The subjects underwent a structured interview, spirometry, a methacholine provocation test and skin-prick tests. For chlamydia antibodies, IgG titer values of > or = 1:512 and/or IgM > or = 1:16 were regarded as evidence of a current or recent infection while IgG levels < 1:512 and > 1:32 were regarded as indicative of a previous infection. For Chlamydia pneumoniae, a relationship was found between current or recent infection and wheezing (odds ratio (OR) 6.0, confidence intervals (CI) 1.3-28) and also between IgA antibodies and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) (OR 3.3, CI 1.3-8.3). For Chlamydia trachomatis, serological signs of a previous infection were found significantly more often in subjects who reported having had asthma at some time: (OR 3.2, CI 1.4-7.1), asthma during the last year (OR 3.2, CI 1.4-7.1), wheezing during the last year (OR 4.2, CI 1.6-6.6) and in those who had BHR (OR 2.7, CI 1.2-6.1). We conclude that a relationship may exist between Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections and asthma-related symptoms and BHR.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Serology of respiratory viruses in relation to asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Do individuals with serological evidence of infections with respiratory viruses have an increased prevalence of asthma or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR)? Antibodies to four common respiratory viruses were measured in the sera of 81 subjects without a history of a recent respiratory infection. The subjects underwent an interview, spirometry, a methacholine provocation test and skin prick tests. In sera where virus antibodies were found, IgG titer values of > or = 1:40 were regarded as evidence of a recent infection. A significant relationship was found between serological markers of a recent respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infection and physician diagnosed asthma (odds ratios (OR) 14.5, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.4-151) or BHR (OR 12.7, 95% CI 1.2-132)(p < 0.05). Furthermore, the total blood eosinophil count was significantly higher in subjects with serological signs of a current or recent RS virus infection than in those without such signs (364 +/- 198 x 10(6)/L and 175 +/- 118 x 10(6)/L respectively, p < 0.05). In conclusion, a recent RS viral infection may be an important factor in the induction of symptoms and signs suggestive of asthma.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Asthma symptoms and anti-asthma drugs in 4 Scandinavian countries].

A study of the occurrence of asthma in six areas in four Nordic countries showed 18-25 percent of the populations investigated to have had wheezing or whistling in the airways during the previous 12-month period, and 2-3 percent to have had asthma attacks. The use of anti-asthmatics was found to have differed from one to another of the areas included in the study, and the result suggest the difference to depend upon corresponding differences in the extent to which an active approach to treatment was adopted for the care of patients with asthmatic problems.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The prevalence of asthmatic respiratory symptoms among adults in Estonian and Swedish university cities.

The prevalence of atopy and related diseases is lower among children in Eastern European countries than in countries with a market economy. Such comparisons have not been made in adults. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) postal questionnaire was mailed to random samples of 3000 inhabitants in Tartu, Estonia, and 3600 in Uppsala, Sweden, between the ages of 20 and 44 years. Asthmatic symptoms (wheeze with breathlessness occurring in the absence of colds) were less prevalent in Tartu (4.6% vs 6.8%, P < 0.001), as were attacks of asthma (1.9% vs 3.3%, P < 0.01), current asthma medication (0.7% vs 4.9%), and allergic rhinitis (17.8% vs 22.2%, P < 0.001). Age was inversely related to allergic rhinitis in Uppsala (P < 0.05), but not in Tartu. Nocturnal respiratory symptoms (wakening with chest tightness or being woken by an attack of breathlessness or an attack of cough) were more prevalent in Tartu (P < 0.001), and their prevalence increased with age (P < 0.05) in Tartu, but not in Uppsala. Symptoms of asthma and hay fever were less common but other respiratory problems more common in Tartu than in Uppsala. The difference in the prevalence of hay fever diminished with age, supporting the notion that the increasing prevalence of allergy among children and young adults in Western Europe is caused by a cohort effect.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Increased adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 of eosinophils from patients with asthma.

Adhesion of peripheral blood eosinophil and neutrophil granulocytes to the endothelial cell adherence receptors E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 has been measured. The study included patients with allergic rhinitis, patients with mild allergic and nonallergic asthma, and healthy individuals; 10 persons were in each group. In addition, assay of eosinophil and neutrophil cell surface expression of the receptor complex CD11b/CD18 was performed. Increased eosinophil adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.05) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.05) was demonstrated in the patients with a more labile asthma, that is, a peak expiratory flow rate variability of more than 10%, suggesting a relationship to the degree of ongoing inflammation in the airways of the patients. The increased eosinophil adhesion was most probably due to a functional upregulation of the CD11b/CD18 and very late activation antigen-4 receptors, because the number of receptors measured as cell surface expression was unaltered. The increased eosinophil adhesion in the patients with high peak expiratory flow rate variability appeared independent of atopy. The increased adhesion was not entirely specific to the eosinophils, because neutrophils from patients with a peak expiratory flow rate variability of more than 10% also demonstrated increased adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.05) when compared with neutrophils from the patients with low peak expiratory flow rate variability. In conclusion, the demonstrated priming of eosinophil adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 might be one contributing mechanism behind the selective accumulation of eosinophils in the lung tissue of patients with asthma.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Asthmatic symptoms and indoor levels of micro-organisms and house dust mites.

As a part of a worldwide investigation on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, we have performed a study on the relationship between the indoor environment and asthma-like symptoms in the population of a central Swedish municipality. The study comprised 88 individuals, aged 20-45 years who underwent a structured interview, spirometry, a methacholine provocation test, skin-prick tests and blood samples for measurements of serum concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP), blood eosinophil count and total immunoglobulin E (S-IgE). In the homes, the room temperature, air humidity, respirable dust, house dust mites (HDM) and airborne micro-organisms were measured. The relative humidity in all the homes was found to be above 33%. HDM were found in 13% of homes. In the homes of the 47 subjects with asthma related symptoms, significantly higher total levels of bacteria and mould (P < 0.05) and a higher proportion of detected HDM (OR = 5.3) was found than in subjects with no asthma related symptoms, after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, indoor temperature and air humidity. HDM were found to be an independent risk factor for asthma related symptoms (OR = 7.9) and nocturnal breathlessness (OR = 6.2) (P < 0.05), while the total level of bacteria was a risk factor for asthma related symptoms and wheezing (P < 0.05). We conclude that although HDM is relatively infrequently found in the homes of central-Sweden, the presence of HDM is related to asthmatic symptoms. A relation between levels of airborne bacteria and asthma related symptoms was also found.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Daytime sleepiness, snoring and gastro-oesophageal reflux amongst young adults in three European countries.

OBJECTIVES: To study the geographical variation in daytime sleepiness, snoring and disrupted breathing during sleep and to identify and compare risk factors using the same method in four European cities. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, multicentre epidemiological survey. SETTING: Reykjavik in Iceland, Uppsala and Göteborg in Sweden and Antwerp in Belgium. PARTICIPANTS: A random population sample of 2202 subjects who participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sleep disturbances and daytime symptoms. RESULTS: At all the centres, 5% of the men and 2-3% of the women reported snoring every night. Daytime sleepiness (DS) was more often reported in Uppsala [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval: 1.6 (1.2-2.1)] than in the other centres, whilst daytime tiredness (DT) was most common in Reykjavik [ OR 1.8 (1.4-2.1)]. Snoring was positively correlated with age, male gender and body-mass index in all areas. Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux were associated with DS: OR 2.6 (1.5 4.4) and DT: OR 4.5 (2.7-7.6) and disrupted breathing: OR 3.8 (1.4-10). DS and DT were reported more often by women than by men. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of snoring was about the same in all four areas, whilst there was a geographical variation in daytime sleepiness and tiredness. As complaints of DS and DT and disrupted breathing were more common in subjects who reported symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, we suggest that polysomnographic studies comparing sleep patterns in adult patients with and without reflux should be conducted.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Epidemiological aspects of snoring and hypertension.

Previous studies have reported a great difference in snoring prevalence in different populations. In a recent study on men and women 20-45 y old, living in Sweden (Uppsala, Gothenbourg), Iceland (Reykjavík) and Belgium (Antwerp), data concerning snoring, etc., were collected using the same questions and scales in all the countries. In all four areas the prevalence of snoring was the same: 5% of men and 2-3% of women reported snoring every night. In all areas snoring was positively correlated with age, male sex and body mass index. It was therefore assumed that the previous difference in snoring prevalence is probably an artifact of different methodologies. The connection between snoring and systemic hypertension has been much disputed during the last decade. The high prevalence of hypertension in the sleep apnoea syndrome has been explained by obesity/age/male gender/sleep apnoea and/or snoring. In one recent study snoring did not contribute independently to the prediction of hypertension, while other studies indicate that snoring is an independent risk factor for hypertension. After reviewing some of the epidemiological literature it was found that these studies are bound to identify almost entirely different subgroups of the population as snorers since the prevalence of snoring is rated on different types of frequency scales with words like 'never', 'often' or the number of nights per week. The questions used are also different. In general it can be stated that the smaller the proportion of the population identified as snorers the more often there is a statistically significant association with hypertension. The relationship between snoring and hypertension is considered to be unclear due to the different research methods used, and to the uncertain role played by confounding factors such as obesity. There is a need for population-based, prospective, studies with more uniform definitions of the term 'snoring' based on objective measurements of upper airway resistance during sleep, together with haemodynamic studies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Venom allergy in adult Swedes: a population study.

Hymenoptera allergies are a cause of considerable morbidity. However, deaths due to insect sting constitute a health hazard that can be minimized by effective therapy. We report the results of a study of 1815 men and women, aged 20-44 years and resident in three areas of Sweden. The prevalence of sensitization to the venom allergens of honeybees and wasps was assessed by RAST. Atopy and allergic diseases were considered possible risk factors for symptom development. Of the 1815 subjects, 1399 were randomly chosen from the general population. Of the random sample, 9.3% had specific bee or wasp IgE, 1.5% reported systemic reactions to bee or wasp stings, and 0.6% had both. Sensitization to bee or wasp correlated positively with atopy (odds ratio (OR) 2.0, confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.8, P < 0.0001), male sex (OR 1.8, CI 1.3-2.5, P < 0.001), and age (OR 2.0, CI 1.4-2.8, P < 0.01), and negatively to living in the northernmost of the three centers (OR 0.4, CI 0.3-0.7, P < 0.001). Atopy was not found to be a risk factor for systemic reactions. We conclude that the prevalence of Hymenoptera allergy in Sweden is rather low when compared with other countries. Subjects with atopy seem to have an increased risk of becoming sensitized but do not develop systemic reactions more frequently than nonatopic subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Asthmatic symptoms and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide in dwellings.

OBJECTIVES: As a part of the worldwide European Community respiratory health survey, possible relations between symptoms of asthma, building characteristics, and indoor concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in dwellings were studied. METHODS: The study comprised 88 subjects, aged 20-45 years, from the general population in Uppsala, a mid-Swedish urban community, selected by stratified random sampling. Room temperature, air humidity, respirable dust, carbon dioxide (CO2), VOCs, formaldehyde, and house dust mites were measured in the homes of the subjects. They underwent a structured interview, spirometry, peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements at home, methacholine provocation test for bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and skin prick tests. In addition, serum concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein (S-ECP), blood eosinophil count, and total immunoglobulin E (S-IgE) were measured. RESULTS: Symptoms related to asthma were more common in dwellings with house dust mites, and visible signs of dampness or microbial growth in the building. Significant relations were also found between nocturnal breathlessness and presence of wall to wall carpets, and indoor concentration of CO2, formaldehyde, and VOCs. The formaldehyde concentration exceeded the Swedish limit value for dwellings (100 micrograms/m3) in one building, and CO2 exceeded the recommended limit value of 1000 ppm in 26% of the dwellings, showing insufficient outdoor air supply. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was related to indoor concentration of limonene, the most prevalent terpene. Variability in PEF was related to two other terpenes; alpha-pinen and delta-karen. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that indoor VOCs and formaldehyde may cause asthma-like symptoms. There is a need to increase the outdoor air supply in many dwelling, and wall to wall carpeting and dampness in the building should be avoided. Improved indoor environment can also be achieved by selecting building materials, building construction, and indoor activities on the principle that the emission of volatile organic compounds should be as low as reasonably achievable, to minimise symptoms related to asthma due to indoor air pollution.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Prevalence of sleep disturbances among young adults in three European countries.

The aim of this investigation was to study the geographic variation in sleep complaints and to identify risk factors for sleep disturbances in three European countries: Iceland (Reykjavik), Sweden (Uppsala and Göteborg) and Belgium (Antwerp). The study involved a random population of 2,202 subjects (age 20-45 years) who participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. The subjects answered a questionnaire on sleep disturbances. Participants in Iceland and Sweden also estimated their sleep habits and sleep times during a period of 1 week in a sleep diary. Habitual (> or = 3/week) difficulties inducing sleep (DIS) were reported by 6-9% and early morning awakenings by 5-6% of the subjects. The estimated number of awakenings and the prevalence of nightmares was significantly lower in Reykjavik. Participants in Reykjavik went to bed at night and woke in the morning approximately 1 hour later than participants at the Swedish centers (p < 0.001). Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were associated with DIS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.7), nightmares (OR = 4.4), longer sleep latency and frequent nocturnal awakenings. Smoking correlated positively to DIS (OR = 1.8) and estimated sleep latency. We conclude that the prevalence of DIS was fairly similar at these four European centers but that there was a variation in the prevalence of nightmares and nocturnal awakenings. The significant correlation between reported GER and subjective quality of sleep should be followed up in studies using objective measurements.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Occupational exposure to water-based paints and self-reported asthma, lower airway symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and lung function.

The associations between occupational exposure to water-based paints and the prevalence of self-reported asthma, other lower airway symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and lung function were studied in house painters. Symptom prevalences were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire sent to 415 male painters during 1989-1992. Clinical investigations were carried out in three selected groups: 23 painters with asthmatic symptoms, nine painters with other lower airway symptoms, and 12 painters without airway symptoms. The clinical studies included lung function test, methacholine provocation test, and occurrence of atopy, confirmed by skin prick test to common allergens. In addition, a group of 18 young male painters with no occupational exposure to solvent-based paints were followed with dynamic spirometry before and after a workshift, when only water-based paints were used. The prevalence of self-reported asthma (7%) was somewhat, but not statistically, increased compared to an industrial population without exposure to water-based paints or other airway irritants. A decrease in FEV1 and FVC during the workday was observed in the young painters. In the clinical studies the painters exhibited increased BHR compared to the referents and a decreased FEV1. The number of years working as a painter was related to a decrease in FEV1, which was most pronounced in subjects with atopy who also reported lower airway symptoms in relation to the degree of work with water-based paints, but not to the degree of use of solvent-based paints. Our results indicate that house painters have an increased risk of airway problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Serum eosinophil cationic protein in relation to bronchial asthma in a young Swedish population.

How are the serum concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP) and the blood eosinophil count (B-Eos) related to symptoms of asthma, allergy, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR)? We measured S-ECP, B-Eos, and total and specific IgE in serum in blood samples from 699 randomly selected persons 20-44 years old. They also underwent a structured interview, spirometry, a methacholine provocation test, and skin prick tests as part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. B-Eos and S-ECP were found to be closely related to asthma symptom score (P < 0.001), total IgE (P < 0.001), and BHR (P < 0.001). On the basis of the results, the subjects were divided into four groups: healthy controls, patients with allergic rhinitis, patients with nonallergic asthma, and patients with allergic asthma. There were significant differences in both B-Eos and S-ECP among the groups (P < 0.001), the highest values being found in the allergic asthma group. B-Eos and S-ECP each had an additive value in predicting the occurrence of asthma. Among persons with high concentrations of both variables, asthma was eight times more common than in those with low concentrations. Allergy and BHR were also found to be independently related to B-Eos and S-ECP levels. Furthermore, both B-Eos and S-ECP showed good correlation to subjective and objective measures of asthma activity. We conclude that both B-Eos and S-ECP and their interrelationship may be of value in assessing the activity of asthma. However, their role in disease management was not established in this cross-sectional study.

Adult↗