The Predictive Value of Eosinophil Cationic Protein in Asthma as Marker of Poorly Controlled Disease and Response Guide to Treatment

Abstract

Background: Asthma is an inflammatory disease that involves local and systemic inflammation. Eosinophil cationic protein [ECP] is a marker of eosinophilic inflammation in asthma.Objective: To clarify the validity of ECP determination as predictor of poorlycontrolled or relapsing asthma.Patients and Methods: Twenty six asthmatic patients were included for poorlycontrolled asthma, while 12 patients were included in relapse study. ECP weredetermined using ELISA.Results: Asthmatic patients with poorly controlled asthma had significantly(P<0.0001) higher sputum and serum ECP than that in stable asthmatic. Mean serum ECP of asthmatic patients was significantly higher than that in asthmatic patients without relapse.Conclusion: Serum and sputum ECP as eosinophilic inflammatory markers areassociated with poor asthma control and may be used as additional marker for disease control response guide to treatment.