Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2012 Sep;22(3):302-311.

Association of SCORAD Index and Aeroallergen Sensitization on Urinary Leukotriene E4 in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

• Shin SJ
• Kim MJ
• Jung MH
• Jin HS
• Han MK
• Park KY
• Oh MY
• Kim BS

Abstract

PURPOSE
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a genetically determined, chronic relapsing skin disease. The pathogenesis of AD is complex and the course is unpredictable. Atopy is an important risk factor for the development of AD. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) were implicated in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, and are being targeted for their diagnosis and treatments. Early detection of tissue inflammation of target organ is important to enable early prevention and management of allergic diseases. The aim of our study is to evaluate the differences in urinary leukotrienes E4 (LTE4) levels, according to AD symptom score and aeroallergen sensitization in children with AD by using noninvasive techniques.
METHODS
We recruited 46 children with AD, using predetermined criteria. Clinical features of AD were evaluated by a physician, using scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Aeroallergen sensitization was measured by using a skin prick test and UniCap. Urine samples were also collected on day of the 1st and 2nd visits, and were analyzed for LTE4 with an enzyme-linked immunoassay kit.
RESULTS
SCORAD indeces of children with AD were correlated with urinary LTE4 levels. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil counts also had significant correlation with urinary LTE4 levels. Especially, aeroallergen sensitization of atopic AD significantly correlated with urinary LTE4 of these patients.
CONCLUSION
Urinary LTE4 levels significantly correlated with serum total IgE and number of sensitized aeroallergen in children with AD. Clinical features of AD evaluated with SCORAD index related with urinary LTE4 level. Urinary LTE4 might be a valuable, noninvasive marker for different pathogenesis of AD.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Leukotrien E4; Aeroallergen; Symptom score

MeSH Terms

Child
Dermatitis, Atopic
Eosinophils
Humans
Immunoassay
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Inflammation
Leukotriene E4
Leukotrienes
Risk Factors
Skin
Skin Diseases
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Leukotriene E4
Leukotrienes

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Relationship between urine log-leukotrienes E4 (LTE4) concentration in pg/mg Cr and overall scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD). The correlation of log-LTE4 concentration to the total SCORAD was detected.(γ=0.340, P = 0.021) (Pearson's correlation coefficient)

• 

  Fig. 2 Relationship between urine leukotrienes E4 (LTE4) concentration in pg/mg Cr and blood total eosinophil counts (A : γ=0.347, P=0.018), serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) (B : γ=0.390, P=0.007) and number of sensitized allergen (C : γ=0.340, P=0.021; D : γ=0.414, P=0.004). (Pearson's correlation coefficient)

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