Clinical Correlates of Serum IgE in Asthmatic Children

摘要

Serum IgE levels were measured by radioimmuno-assay in 116 asthmatic patients aged 6–16 years, and were compared to their clinical profiles. The IgE level was ≤ 700 ng/ml (normal) in 86 children and > 700 ng/ml (high) in 30. The incidence of positive skin test was directly related to high IgE levels (p < 0.01). Of 94 children without eczema, 76 had normal values, whereas 12 of 22 children with eczema had high IgE concentrations (p < 0.01). Of 57 children receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy, only 5 had high IgE levels in comparison with 25 of 59 patients not on steroids (p < 0.001). History, skin sensitivity and bronchial challenge to allergens enabled us to classify 79 children into an ‘extrinsic’ or ‘mixed’ group (65) or an ‘intrinsic’ group (M). Of the ‘extgrinsic’ or ‘mixed’ group, high IgE levels were found in 24, of whom only 3 were receiving steroids, whereas 21 of the 41 with normal IgE levels were on steroids (p < 0.01). All 14 ‘intrinsics’ had normal levels; 10 of these were on steroids. No significant correlations were found with several other measured clinical attributes. Repeated measurements of serum IgE concentrations revealed consistent values over a 4-month period in most childre, however significant vairation occured in some.These data indicate a direct relationship of IgE level to incidence of positive skin tests and presence of eczema, but a reciprocal relationship to systemic corticosteroid therapy, even in so-called ‘extrinsic’ or ‘mixed’ asthma. (Supported by USPHS grants AI-08500, FR 5523 and a Hartford Foundation grant.)