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Eosinophil protein X and childhood asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hillary Klonoff-Cohen1, Mounika Polavarapu1

  • 1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Huff Hall Room 2021 A, 1206 S. Fourth St. Champaign IL 61820.

Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
|December 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Urine eosinophil protein X (u-EPX) shows higher levels in children with asthma. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence for u-EPX as a diagnostic marker for pediatric asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

  • Lack of established guidelines for urine eosinophil protein X (u-EPX) use in clinical practice.
  • Absence of clear diagnostic parameters for asthma in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine diagnostic u-EPX cut points for pediatric asthma through systematic review.
  • Conduct a meta-analysis to estimate u-EPX levels for pediatric asthma diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of literature from PubMed/Medline and Web of Science (1966-2015).
  • Inclusion of 27 studies for systematic review and 9 for meta-analysis, focusing on children (<18 years).
  • Abstraction of effect estimates using standardized means for meta-analyses.

Main Results:

  • Over 70% of studies indicated a significant association between u-EPX and childhood asthma.
  • Standardized means of u-EPX were 1.94 times higher in acute asthmatics versus healthy controls.
  • Standardized means of u-EPX were 1.58 times higher in asymptomatic asthmatics versus healthy controls.

Conclusions:

  • Consistent trend of elevated u-EPX levels in children with asthma was observed.
  • u-EPX shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker for pediatric asthma.
  • Further research may establish clinical guidelines for u-EPX interpretation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Childhood asthmacut pointsinflammatory markersmeta‐analysisreview articleserum EPXurine EPX

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