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Reduced basal salivary cortisol in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis

E Bakkeheim1, P Mowinckel, K H Carlsen

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway. bake@uus.no

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma, particularly those using moderate to high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), show reduced salivary cortisol. Asthma and allergic rhinitis co-morbidity is also linked to lower cortisol levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Allergy and immunology
  • Respiratory medicine

Background:

  • Reduced basal cortisol levels are a known characteristic of allergic diseases.
  • Investigating salivary cortisol in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if basal salivary cortisol is reduced in children with asthma or allergic rhinitis.
  • To control for the effects of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use on salivary cortisol levels.

Main Methods:

  • Salivary cortisol was measured in the morning and evening in 50 asthmatic children (aged 7-12) and 52 controls.
  • Asthma and allergic rhinitis status, along with ICS dosage, were recorded.
  • Cortisol levels were analyzed using radioimmunoassay.

Main Results:

  • Asthmatic children exhibited significantly lower morning and evening salivary cortisol compared to controls.
  • Asthmatics on moderate or high ICS doses showed significantly reduced cortisol levels.
  • Asthma with rhinitis, even on low ICS doses, was associated with reduced morning cortisol.

Conclusions:

  • Moderate to high ICS use in asthmatic children is associated with reduced salivary cortisol.
  • The co-morbidity of asthma and allergic rhinitis independently contributes to lower cortisol levels.
Abstract

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