The Association between Follistatin like protein-1 Level and Severity of Asthma in Asthmatic Children in Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Over 300 million individuals worldwide suffer from asthma. Furthermore, during the past three decades, western nations  have demonstrated increased prevalence. 7.7% of people in Egypt's Nile Delta were found to have bronchial asthma. Follistatin-like 1  (FSTL1) may be crucial for the respiratory system, according to several studies. FSTL1 controls the maturation of alveoli, cartilage, and the  development of the lungs. This study aimed to evaluate follistatin like protein 1 level in the serum of pediatric patients with asthma and  determine its association to asthma severity.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 60 children at pulmonology unit in  pediatric department and clinical pathology department, Zagazig University Children Hospital in the period from May 2020 to June 2022.  They were divided into group A: Consisted of 45 asthmatic children subdivided into 3 groups (mild – moderate – severe) and group B:  consisted of 15 age and sex matched healthy children.

Results: There was highly statistically significant increased FST level in severe  group when compared with moderate group, mild group, and control group.

Conclusion: In asthmatics, plasma FSTL1 levels were higher  and positively correlated with severity of asthma.