EFFECT OF THEOPHYLLINE ON SERUM URIC-ACID LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of theophylline on serum uric acid levels in children with asthma. Twenty-seven asthmati c children, including 21 patients who were treated with slow-release t heophylline and 6 patients not receiving any type of theophylline prep aration, were enrolled in this study. Serum uric acid levels were incr eased in the asthmatic children treated with theophylline compared to those not receiving this agent (6.28 +/- 0.29 mg/dl, mean +/- SEM, vs. 4.82 +/- 0.52 mg/dl, p < 0.005). A significant positive correlation b etween the serum levels of uric acid and theophylline was demonstrated in the patients of this study (r(s) = 0.596, p < 0.001). All the pati ents in whom theophylline administration was stopped showed significan t decreases in serum uric acid levels (p < 0.05). From these results, we conclude that theophylline increases serum uric acid levels in chil dren with asthma, just as it does in adult asthmatics.