TABLE 2.
Comparison of cellular indexes in sputum processed fresh and preserved in formaldehyde
|
Preservation method |
P (Wilcoxon) | Intraclass correlation coefficient | Bias (mean difference [95% CI]) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routine (fresh) | Formaldehyde | ||||
| Total cell count, ×106 cells/g | 0.8 (0.80) | 1.25 (0.70) | 0.08 | 0.4 | −0.54 (−1.84 to 1.3) |
| Eosinophils, % | 1.7 (2.87) | 0.7 (2.66) | 0.97 | 0.38 | −0.02 (−3.0 to 2.6) |
| Eosinophils, ×104 | 1.2 (3.05) | 0.7 (8.02) | 0.42 | 0.23 | 3.6 (1.2 to 8.5) |
| Neutrophils, % | 48.8 (28.33) | 49.6 (23.49) | 0.9 | 0.49* | −0.5 (−10.0 to 10.0) |
| Neutrophils, ×104 | 27.0 (72.14) | 46.0 (37.13) | 0.2 | 0.09 | −0.2 (0.8 to 0.4) |
| Macrophages, % | 47.3 (26.51) | 45.1 (22.1) | 0.9 | 0.52* | 1.0 (−9.0 to 11.0) |
| Macrophages, ×104 | 26.0 (71.05) | 63.6 (53.17) | 0.4 | 0.41 | 14.6 (−18 to 48) |
Data presented as median (interquartile range) unless indicated otherwise.
*
Statistically significant (P<0.05)