Institution: UPR – Ponce Campus

Email: edu.suarez@upr.edu

This project will explore underlying associations between asthma and persistent allergic rhinitis
t(wPAo Rco), complex, chronic, heterogeneous disorders characterized by inflammation of the airways. Both are highly prevalent in the Puerto Rican population (PRn), with significant overlap in their diagnoses. Puerto Rico has the highest prevalence of diagnosed asthma within the USA and its territories: children (17%) and adults (14.9%) with. Currently, exists a gap in knowledge describing the prevalence of PAR among the Puerto Rican (PRn) population, but it is alleged to be diagnosed in about 22% to 53% of asthmatic patients. Having PAR similar prevalence and similarity in the pathophysiology to asthma, it makes difficult to achieve a differential diagnosis, currently relying on a clinical assessment, patient personal and family history, and specialized diagnostic tests. However, marginalized communities lacking access to specialized physicians or the diagnostic tests may result in misdiagnoses, followed by inappropriate treatment, and associated adverse effects at the well- at the week being, social, and economic levels. It is well know that even “gold standards” diagnostic tests have their limitations and differential diagnostic test for asthma and PAR are not the exception. Even more, some of these tests are not appropriate for the PRn population due to PR geographic location and ecosystems. For instance, based on the high prevalence, biological similarities, and mechanistic resemblances of asthma and PAR there is the critical need to overcome most population-based limitations to achieve a differential diagnosis. The main objective of this proposal is to validate previously identified proinflammatory serum molecules mostly cytokines expressed differentially between asthmatics, allergic asthmatics, persistent allergic, and controls providing the biological data to create a population-specific profile device for these phenotypes. We hypothesize that the studied inflammatory molecules will show statistically significant differences between their expression, allowing identification of each phenotype correctly. Overall Rationale: An accurate differential diagnostic test for asthma and is crucial for clinical determinations on appropriate pharmacological treatments and patient-specific interventions as well as recommendations of modifiers for contributing to improve the disease and quality of live. SA1.To establish a cytokinesspecific profile panel capable of discriminating asthma/PAR resulting phenotypes, compared to non-asthmatic/nonallergic controls on 80 participants from a previous study using cyto-multiplex; SA2. Compare the expression of IgE, CysLTs, LTC4, LTE4, and LTD4 between the phenotypes and controls using custom ELISA; and SA3. Evaluate associations (OR)between the obtained biological data; clinical variables, and specific environmental factors. Our Long- Term Goal is to develop a cost-effective and accessible human serum-based inflammatory molecules profile panel test, individualized for the PRn population, adaptable to other populations. Our proposal impact relies on providing physicians with a suitable and feasible device when consulting patients with complex clinical scenarios or confirm a preliminary diagnosis leading to prescribe accordingly.