Role of serum Immunoglobulin E level in diagnosis of severity of cough variant asthma

Introduction: Cough variant asthma (CVA) is known by airway Hyper responsiveness and nonproductive chronic cough without wheezing for a minimum duration of 8 weeks. It is less common form of asthma. This study was conducted aiming to diagnose the role of serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in diagnosis of cough variant form of the disease. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 80 patients with an age range of 5-14 years were included with clinical criteria for CVA who referred to pulmonology clinic of Tabriz Children Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Serum IgE level was measured and severity of CVA based on Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) classification was determined, finally the relationship between serum IgE level and severity of CVA was evaluated. Results: In patients with CVA without history of allergic disease, mean serum titer of IgE was 138.2 ± 17.5. Significant difference of serum IgE level in different severities of CVA was detected (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Serum IgE level in patients with CVA is a reliable marker for diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of disease.