Periostin is a matricelluar protein, which was synthesized in airway epithelial cells induced by interleukin 4 and 13. Recently, serum periostin level was suggested as a biomarker of TH 2 airway inflammation and a prognostic indicator of asthma treatment. However, serum periostin level in allergic rhinitis was not elucidated well, we aim to investigate the relationship between serum periostin and allergic rhinitis in Korea children.
Methods
A total of 561 children (273 boys, 288 girls) aged 11-12 years were enrolled in this study. Serum periostin level was measured and the skin prick test was performed with 26 aeroallergens commonly found in Korea. Other information was collected, including sex, age, BMI, parental allergy history, and parental smoking status. Multivariate analysis was used to confirm the association between serum periostin level and allergic rhinitis.
Results
Of the 561 children, 217 children showed allergic rhinitis symptoms during past 12 months and 283 children showed positive skin prick test to at least one allergen. Serum periostin level was not differ between allergic sensitization group and control group (49.98 ± 12.98 vs 49.47 ± 13.58). When we divided all subject into 4 groups; control (A; n=124 ), sensitization without allergic rhinitis symptoms (B; n=52), allergic symptoms without sensitization (C; n=36), and allergic rhinitis symptoms with sensitization (D; n=72). There were no statistical difference of mean value between 4 groups (A-D; 47.81 ± 13.66, 44.56 ± 11.68, 49.38 ± 15.51, and 47.26 ± 11.4). Also, we could not find the significant association between serum periostin and allergic rhinitis in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions
Allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization in Korean children did not influence the serum periostin level. Further studies were needed to elucidate the meaning of serum periostin level in allergic rhinitis.