Biomarkers in asthma in the context of atopic dermatitis in young children

Abstract

Background: Diverse pathways stemming from a history of atopic dermatitis (AD) might modulate different biomarkers associated with the development of asthma. Biomarkers associated with AD and asthma separately have been investigated, but none have characterized a combined AD+asthma phenotype. We investigated the clinical and molecular characteristics associated with an AD+asthma phenotype compared with AD, asthma and controls. Methods: From a prospective birth cohort and the outpatient allergy clinic, we included four groups of 6–12-year-old children: (1) healthy controls (2) previous, current, or present AD without asthma, (3) previous, current, or present AD and current asthma and (4) current asthma without AD. We performed clinical examinations and interviews and measured serum IgE, natural moisturizing factors (NMF), and plasma cytokine levels. Results: We found an increased number of IgE sensitizations in AD+asthma, prominent after stratifying for food allergens (p