Symptom Scores, Pulmonary Function Tests and Levels of Allergen Specific IgE in Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Asthma is the principal cause of chronic illness in childhood. Assessment of clinical symptoms and measurements of lung function should be used to monitor the course of asthma and the patient's response to therapy. In this study, we look for correlation between respiratory symptoms, concentration of specific IgE antibodies and lung function measures. Three hundred and ten children aged from 6 to 18 years old with a newly diagnosis of asthma were enrolled in the study at our outpatient clinic from December 1, 2001 to January 31, 2003. Patients were evaluated by asthma symptom scores and physical finding scores. Pulmonary function tests (including FEV1, FEF25-75%, FEV1/FVC) were performed. The frequency of sensitization to eight common allergens was assessed by CAP system. Among the 310 children, there were 169 boys and 141 girls. The mean age was 9.48 years old (6 to 18 years). Asthma symptoms correlated with the degree of airway obstruction as measured by FEV1 (r=-0.29, p＜0.01), FEV25-75% (r=-0.31, p＜0.01) and FEV1/FVC (r=-0.31, p＜0.01). In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of sensitization to house dust mites in asthmatic children. Symptom scores and physical finding scores were weakly correlated to pulmonary function. Sensitization to house dust mite or to cat dander was related to lower pulmonary function levels.