The relationship between serum TSLP and TARC levels with the severity of atopic dermatitis in infants

Objective: The aim of the study is to measure serum levels of TSLP and TARC, to evaluate their relationships with disease severity and to compare the results with the levels of healthy children. Methods: The severity of atopic dermatitis was determined by scoring atopic dermatitis score (SCORAD). Skin prick test was performed to evaluate atopic status. Serum TSLP and TARC levels were measured in all participants. Results: Serum levels of TSLP and TARC were significantly higher in children with atopic dermatitis than those of healthy controls (p=0.001, p=0.004, respectively). While, there was an association between disease severity and serum TARC levels (p=0.014), no association was found between TSLP, and severity of disease (p=0.80). There was no correlation between TSLP and TARC (p=0.576), however, TARC was negatively correlated with age of the children with atopic dermatitis (r=-0.426, p=0.038). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, area under Curve (AUC) which was calculated serum TSLP level in the prediction of the presence of atopic dermatitis was 0.780 [95% confidence interval (0.640-0.885), p<0.001]. The sensitivity of serum TSLP level of 30,41 pg/mL was 72% and the specificity 84% in the prediction of the presence of atopic dermatitis. The AUC was 0,738 [95% Confident Interval (0,595-0,852), p=0.0007] for serum TARC level to estimate atopic dermatitis. The sensitivity and specificity of serum TARC level of 242.68 pg/mL were 72%, and 68% in the prediction of atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Serum levels of TSLP and TARC are closely related with the presence of atopic dermatitis in infants. Serum TARC level is associated with the severity of atopic dermatitis.