Life Quality and Cytokines Profile in Patients with Asthma and Osteoarthritis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate levels of leptin, adiponectin, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, oxidative damage, and antioxidant status in patients with bronchial asthma (BA), compared to patients who suffer from both BA and osteoarthritis (OA), and analyze the quality of life in such patients. Methods and Results: The study included 103 patients (34 men and 69 women) diagnosed with moderate asthma aged from 30 to 70 years (mean age of 58.52±7.14 years). The levels of IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, adiponectin, leptin, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidative damage (TOD) were measured. Two questionnaires were used in this study: Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Asthma Control Test (АСТ). The levels of leptin, TNF-α, and Il-6 were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. On the contrary, the IL-4 level was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. The TAS value was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P=0.0001). The TOD value was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P=0.0000). The domains of AQLQ(S) activity, symptoms, and emotions were decreased in patients of Group 2. The values of the ACT test were 18.0±2.61 points and 16.78±1.92 points in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (P=0.0077). Conclusion: In patients with both asthma and osteoarthritis, levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α, are significantly elevated as well as values of total oxidative status, which correlate with poorer asthma control and quality of life.