Interleukin-13 as a potential biomarker in the management of pediatric asthma – a longitudinal study

Prasanna Raju
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Subash Sundar
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Preethi Suresh
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Leela Kakithakara Vajravelu
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Vivekanandhan Aravindhan
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Department of Pediatrics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, SRMIST, Chennai, India
Department of Pediatrics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, SRMIST, Chennai, India
Department of Pediatrics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, SRMIST, Chennai, India
Department of Microbiology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, SRMIST, Chennai, India
Department of Genetics, University of Madras, Chennai, India
Received: 24 June 2024 / Revised: 3 August 2024 / Accepted: 16 August 2024 / Published: 30 March 2025

Abstract

Introduction and aim. Asthma is predominantly a Th2 type hypersensitive disorder, with interleukin (IL) 4 and IL-13 playing a pivotal roles. Interleukin 13 is one of several cytokines that cause persistent inflammation associated with asthma. The aim was to examine the relationship between the response to treatment in asthma and serum IL-13.

Material and methods. This study, conducted at the SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, in Tamil Nadu, in volved 68 children aged 6 to 12 years of age diagnosed with asthma. The study included medical history, including age of onset of wheezing, history of allergic rhinitis/atopic dermatitis, food allergies, use of inhalational corticosteroids, hospital admissions, and family history. Spirometry was performed, and treatment with inhalational corticosteroids was started according to GINA guidelines. Blood was collected prior to and after 3 months of treatment.

Results. A substantial positive correlation was observed between gender and IL-13 levels. An improvement in forced expirato ry volume in the first second (FEV1) was observed after treatment [(74.72% vs 95.05%) (p<0.0001)]. A negative correlation was discovered between IL-13 and FEV1. A statistical significance between IL-13 levels before and after treatment (p=0.005).

Conclusion. Inhalational corticosteroids reduced serum IL-13 levels, indicating its role as a prognostic marker in pediatric asthma.

 

Cite

Raju P, Sundar S, Suresh P, Vajravelu LK, Aravindhan V. Interleukin-13 as a potential biomarker in the management of pediatric asthma – a longitudinal study. Eur J Clin Exp Med. 2025;23(1):15–20. doi: 10.15584/ejcem.2025.1.3.

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