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Serum IgE levels in adults with asthma
A K Abdullah1, M A el-Hazmi, A Uz-Zaman
1Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Summary
Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels correlate with asthma severity and atopic scores. While IgE varies greatly, higher levels in men suggest extrinsic asthma, whereas lower levels in women may indicate intrinsic asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy and Asthma Research
Background:
- Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a key marker in allergic diseases.
- Understanding IgE levels in asthma patients is crucial for diagnosis and understanding disease subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum total IgE levels and asthma severity.
- To explore potential differences in IgE levels between male and female asthmatics and their implications for asthma phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Serum total IgE was quantified using Phadebas IgE PRIST kits.
- Measurements were taken in 88 healthy adults and 100 adults diagnosed with asthma.
- Asthma patients were categorized based on atopic scores.
Main Results:
- Geometric mean IgE increased with asthma severity, from 92 kU/L in controls to 464 kU/L in severe asthma cases.
- Significant variation in IgE levels was observed among individuals.
- Female asthmatics exhibited lower mean IgE (182 kU/L) than males (577 kU/L), with a higher prevalence of low atopic scores.
Conclusions:
- Serum total IgE levels show a progressive increase with asthma severity and atopic status.
- Gender-based differences in IgE levels suggest distinct underlying asthma pathologies: extrinsic asthma in men and intrinsic asthma in women within this population.