Introduction and objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences between asthma and COPD on the basis of the prevalence and profile of IgE-dependent sensitization to inhaled allergens, and the blood serum levels of select Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Material and methods:
103 patients with COPD (114 patients with asthma and 121 controls) were included in the study. A skin prick test with common inhaled allergens was performed, and serum levels of IgE were measured in all subjects. Lymphocyte profiles were measured via the whole-blood method using fresh 10-ml blood samples treated with EDTA. The following surface antigens were measured: CD3, CD29, CD16, CD56, CD4, CD8, and HLA-DR. The Th1/Th2 profile in blood serum was determined using Th1/Th2 cytokine kits.

Results:
IgE-dependent sensitization to environmental allergens was found in 34 (33.3%) patients with COPD, 46 (40%) patients with asthma and in 14 (11.5%) volunteers. The odds ratio of sensitization in patients with COPD reached 0.89 (95% CI: 0.57–1.08) and it was more frequent than in the control population with an odds ratio of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64–0.88). The serum concentration of IL-2 was significantly higher in patients with COPD and asthma than in controls. In the subgroup of patients with non-allergic asthma, similar serum concentrations were observed for all analyzed cytokines, except for IFN-gamma, which was lower in patients with COPD.

Conclusions:
Both the prevalence and profile of IgE-dependent sensitization to inhaled allergens did not differ between asthma and COPD. Both Th2 and Th1 played a role in the immunopathology of asthma and COPD.

Abbreviations:
COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; FEV1 – forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC – forced expiratory volume; GINA – Global Initiative for Asthma; GOLD – Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; MMRC – Modified Medical Research Council; Th1 – lymphocyte helper 1; Th2 – lymphocyte helper 2