Blood periostin/procalcitonin index in patients with asthma and asthma-COPD overlap

Abstract

The significant prevalence of asthma and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) necessitates further rationalization of diagnostic and treatment approaches and emphasizes importance of studying the pathogenesis of bronchial obstructive diseases. Well-known markers of allergic and infectious inflammation such as periostin and procalcitonin, respectively, have shown their utility in pulmonology. The aim of this study is to analyze the diagnostic value of blood periostin/procalcitonin index as a complex parameter reflecting both allergic and non-allergic inflammation. Methods. First, we calculated blood periostin/procalcitonin index. Then we compared this index between two groups using the Mann – Whitney test. Results. Patients with non-allergic asthma had lower blood periostin/procalcitonin index compared to the patients with allergic asthma (p = 0.003). Blood periostin/procalcitonin index correlated well with diagnosis in patients with asthma and ACO in our clinical cases. Conclusion. Blood periostin/ rocalcitonin index has demonstrated its clinical utility as a complex inflammatory parameter. Its high values indicate active allergic inflammation. This index can be used to correct glucocorticoid and antibacterial treatment.