The role of IL-33 and IL1β in the development of persistent allergic rhinitis in overweight/obese children: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: There are few works devoted to the study of the role of cytokines in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) with comorbid obesity. 
AIMS: To study the level of cytokines IL1, IL33, IL6, TNF- and total IgE in the blood serum of overweight/obese children with intermittent and persistent AR. 
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective cohort study of 69 children aged 7-10 years with AR was conducted from November 2020 to February 2021. All children carried out the definition of serum concentrations IL1, IL33, IL6, TNF- and total IgE. Bioimpedansometry was used to assess body weight with the calculation of %FM (percentage of body fat mass). 
RESULTS: The study included 44 children with AR and overweight/obesity (group I), 25 children with AR and normal body weight (group II). Analysis of AR in the groups showed that in children of group I, intermittent AR was detected in 11 (25.0%) children (subgroup IA), while persistent course in 33 children (75.0%) (subgroup IB). In children of group II, intermittent AR was detected in 13 (52.0%) children (subgroup IIA), while persistent AR in 12 children (48.0%) (subgroup IIB). Revealed that the level of IL1 in blood serum was significantly higher in the subgroup IB compared with children of subgroup IA (p=0.009). The concentration of IL-33 in children of subgroup IB was significantly lower compared to subgroup IA (p=0.039). The level of IL33 in serum negatively correlated with % FM in children of group IA (r=-0.6673, p= 0.035). The level of IL6, TNF and total IgE in obese children did not depend on the severity of AR. 
CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obesity contributes to the severity AR in children aged 7-10 years. First installed that the predictors of persistent AR in children with obesity are decrease in the level of IL33 and increase in IL1 in the blood serum. The revealed negative correlation between the degree of obesity and the concentration of IL33 in children with intermittent AR opens a window of opportunity for persinified management of children with AR and comorbid obesity.