previously investigated, but there are still some issues to be clarified. The aim of this
study was to assess the link between AHR to mannitol and atopy in asthmatic
children.
Methods: We evaluated 70 children with asthma, aged six to 16-years-of-age,using skin
prick tests (SPTs), serum total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Pulmonary function tets were performed : baseline, postbronchodilator inhalation and mannitol inhalation. The response to mannitol was expressed as the dose causing a 15% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (PD15). Atopy as the presence of at least one positive allergen-specific IgE test result (IgE ≥0.35 kU/l) or a finding on SPT.
Results: 49 subjects (70%) with asthma showed a positive result in mannitol bronchial provocation test (BPT). In the mannitol BPT-positive group, 43 (43/49, 87.8%) subjects were diagnosed to atopy, In the mannitol BPT-negative group, 20 (20/21, 95.2%) subjects were diagnosed to atopy. There was no significant difference in atopy prevalence between mannitol BPT-positive and BPT-negative group. We found a correlation between mannitol PD15 and serum total IgE (r= -0.326; p=0.031).
Conclusion:
In children with pediatric asthma, we could not find a significant correlation between AHR to mannitol and atopy prevalence.