Previous asthma exacerbations correlate with lower systemic IL-26
levels in allergic children with asthma
Having found that systemic IL-26 concentrations correlate negatively
with both ACT scores and daily inhaled corticosteroid use, we also
wondered whether there was a significant relationship between systemic
IL-26 values and asthma exacerbations. Of note, no subjects were being
treated for an active asthma exacerbation at the time of specimen
collection. However, information regarding a history of asthma
exacerbations in the year leading up to study participation was
recorded. Specifically, we assessed the relationship between systemic
IL-26 concentrations and two surrogate markers of asthma exacerbations,
namely hospitalizations and systemic corticosteroid usage (Fig.
5B-C ). We did not find any statistical difference in systemic IL-26
values between subjects that had been hospitalized at least once due to
an asthma exacerbation in the year prior to study participation as
compared with those who had not been hospitalized (Fig. 5B ).
However, systemic levels of IL-26 were significantly lower in subjects
who had received at least one course of oral corticosteroids to treat an
asthma exacerbation in the year preceding study participation as
compared to those who had not taken oral corticosteroids (Fig.
5C ). No subjects received parenteral corticosteroids in the year prior
to study participation.