TABLE 1.
Comparison of cellular indexes in sputum processed fresh and preserved in alcohol
|
Preservation method |
P (Wilcoxon) | Intraclass correlation coefficient | Bias (mean difference [95% CI]) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routine (fresh) | Alcohol | ||||
| Total cell count, ×106 cells/g | 0.8 (0.80) | 0.4 (0.63) | 0.13 | 0.60* | −0.3 (−0.7 to 0.1) |
| Eosinophils, % | 1.7 (2.87) | 2.0 (5.01) | 0.85 | 0.79* | 0.0 (−1.4 to 1.4) |
| Eosinophils, ×104 | 1.2 (3.05) | 0.5 (3.99) | 0.91 | 0.58* | 0.18 (−1.2 to 1.5) |
| Neutrophils, % | 48.8 (28.33) | 29.0 (29.95) | 0.008* | 0.15 | −16.5 (−30 to −2) |
| Neutrophils, ×104 | 27.0 (72.14) | 10.0 (38.45) | 0.07 | −0.07 | −0.5 (−1.0 to 1.0) |
| Macrophages, % | 47.3 (26.51) | 71.0 (31.01) | 0.03* | 0.24 | 16.9 (−3.0 to 31.0) |
| Macrophages, ×104 | 26.0 (71.05) | 27.6 (13.82) | 0.3 | 0.83* | −10.3 (−30.0 to 9.0) |
Data presented as median (interquartile range) unless indicated otherwise.
*
Statistically significant (P<0.05)