A Study on the Correlation between Polymorphisms of IL-13, IL-4, ADRB2 and FCER1B Genes and the Treatment of Childhood Asthma in Heilongjiang Region

Abstract

Objective: To explore the distribution characteristics of polymorphisms of IL-13, IL-4, ADRB2 and FcER1B gene loci in children with asthma in Heilongjiang region, and to analyze their associations with baseline phenotypes (serum total IgE, FeNO, lung function) and maintenance inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dose, so as to provide evidence for early identification of high-risk children and exploration of genetic susceptibility. Methods: A total of 100 children with newly diagnosed asthma were enrolled. The four loci were genotyped and children were stratified into high-risk (n=43) and low-risk (n=57) groups by genotype risk. All children received long-term stepwise treatment according to the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Bronchial Asthma (2025 edition) and were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: The distributions of the four polymorphisms differed significantly between groups (P < 0.001). High FeNO values and greater severity of lung function obstruction were observed in the high-risk group (P < 0.001), while total IgE showed no significant inter-group difference (P > 0.05); FcER1B showed no significant difference between groups (P = 0.482). After guideline-based stepwise therapy, clinical symptoms improved from baseline in both groups; the inter-group differences in efficacy and relapse during follow-up were descriptive and confounded by baseline phenotypes. Conclusion: The four-locus polymorphisms are associated with baseline phenotypes of asthmatic children in Heilongjiang; genetic testing may serve as a reference for early identification of high-risk children. The benefit of genotype-guided therapy still requires validation by large-sample, prospective randomized studies.