Eosinophilic airway inflammation and the prognosis of childhood asthma

C. J. Lovett

Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

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B. F. Whitehead,

B. F. Whitehead

Paediatric Respiratory Unit, John Hunter Children's Hospital Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

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P. G. Gibson,

P. G. Gibson

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C. J. Lovett,

C. J. Lovett

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B. F. Whitehead,

B. F. Whitehead

Paediatric Respiratory Unit, John Hunter Children's Hospital Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

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P. G. Gibson,

P. G. Gibson

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First published: 18 October 2007

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02839.x

Citations: 21

Correspondence:
Prof. Peter G. Gibson, Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Locked Bag 1, Hunter Region Mail Centre, Newcastle, NSW 2310, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]

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Summary

Background Eosinophilic airway inflammation is a key pathophysiological feature of asthma that can predict treatment response. However, the prognostic value of sputum eosinophilia is not established.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the influence of induced sputum eosinophilia on the prognosis of childhood asthma.

Methods A cohort of children with asthma was evaluated by induced sputum analysis at inception and classified as having either eosinophilic asthma (EA) (sputum eosinophils >2.5%) or non-eosinophilic asthma (NEA). After a mean follow-up period of 5 years, eligible subjects (n=83) were contacted and 69 subjects (33 EA, 36 NEA) evaluated. The children had a mean age of 15.9 years, and 61% were male.

Results Children with EA reported more wheeze during the follow-up period (27% vs. 6% wheezed most years; P<0.0001), increased night waking during the past 12 months (28% vs. 3% reported weekly waking; P=0.01), and greater impairment of quality of life due to asthma (P=0.04). Subsequent β₂-agonist use was increased in children with EA (P=0.02), although there was no difference in corticosteroid use. In EA, subsequent forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity was lower (79% vs. 86%; P=0.01) and grass pollen allergy was more prevalent (77% vs. 27%; P=0.006).

Conclusion In children, eosinophilic airway inflammation is associated with deteriorating asthma over time. This is consistent with the hypothesis that airway inflammation has an adverse impact on the prognosis of childhood asthma, and suggests a role for monitoring inflammation in asthma management.

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Volume37, Issue11

November 2007

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