Sputum eosinophil count to assess response to treatment in children with asthma

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways affecting people of all ages and imposes a substantial burden on patients, their families, and the community. This research aims to study sputum eosinophil count in assessing response to treatment in children with asthma. Materials and Methods: Fifty cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this prospective analytical study. Absolute blood eosinophil count, sputum eosinophil count, and spirometry were assessed. They were followed up at 3 and 6 months for the level of asthma control. The correlation between sputum eosinophil count and change in asthma symptoms and spirometry parameters in children started on asthma treatment was studied. Results: The mean age of children enrolled was 9.62 ± 1.72 years. Males were 56% of the total subjects. Clinical improvement was seen in the three partially controlled and 47 well-controlled at 6 months of treatment compared to 21 partially controlled and 29 well-controlled at 3 months of follow-up. Spirometry parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], FEV1/forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory flow 25–75) showed improvement in values with clinical control of asthma at 6 months; however, this did not correlate with changes in sputum eosinophil count. Conclusion: Sputum eosinophil counts should not be used as a marker to predict the response to therapy in children with asthma.