Diagnostic value of cytokine profiles in children with atopic bronchial asthma and concurrent vitamin D deficiency

Naila  Sultanova; Aytan  Jafarova; Rana Karimova; Mushfig Orujov; Ismail  Gafarov

doi:10.23750/abm.v96i4.16249

Diagnostic value of cytokine profiles in children with atopic bronchial asthma and concurrent vitamin D deficiency

Authors

Naila Sultanova Department of Pediatric Diseases II, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4788-466X
Aytan Jafarova Department of Pediatric Diseases II, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7644-9144
Rana Karimova Department of Modeling of Pathological Processes, Experimental Surgery and Therapy, Scientific Research Center, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4323-9625
Mushfig Orujov Department of Pathological Anatomy, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3355-8911
Ismail Gafarov Department of Medical and Biological Physics, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7725-2842

Keywords:

children, cytokines, Atopic bronchial asthma, Vitamin D Deficiency, Interleukin

Abstract

Atopic bronchial asthma in children is often associated with immune dysregulation and altered cytokine profiles.

To assess the sensitivity and specificity of cytokines against the background of vitamin D deficiency in children with atopic bronchial asthma.

A total of 85 children (59 boys, 26 girls) aged 4-17 years with atopic bronchial asthma were monitored at two medical centers in Baku. Inclusion criteria required a minimum disease duration of two years and a history of recurrent asthma attacks. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records. The control group consisted of 20 healthy children (12 boys, 8 girls). Sample sizes for both groups were calculated using the formula: n = (t² σ²) / δ² to ensure adequate statistical power.

The general diagnostic values (GDV) were: IL-2 – 93.8 ± 3.0%, IL-13 – 90.6±3.6%, and IL-17 – 95.3±2.6%. The diagnostic accuracy of both positive and negative test results was evaluated, with positive results rated as 'excellent' and negative results as 'good' for these cytokines. A significant positive correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and IL-2, while IL-13 and IL-17 showed negative correlations with vitamin D in the patient group. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-13 and IL-17 were significantly higher in children with bronchial asthma compared to controls (p < 0.01). Specifically, mean serum IL-13 concentration was 13.8 ± 0.8 pg/ml in patients versus 5.3 ± 0.7 pg/ml in controls. While the correlations between vitamin D levels and cytokines (IL-2, IL-13, IL-17) were statistically significant, their moderate strength suggests the possible influence of additional contributing factors.

Significant correlations between vitamin D status and cytokine levels highlight the potential of IL-2, IL-13, and IL-17 as biomarkers of disease severity and therapeutic targeting. These results suggest that routine assessment and correction of vitamin D deficiency should be considered an integral part of childhood asthma management.

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