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.