Table 1.
Demography and spirometry data of the recruited subjects
| Asthmatics | Healthy controls | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) |
33.3 ± 2.6 |
38.2 ± 3.4 |
| Males/females |
6/4 |
6/4 |
| Atopy (% of total) |
100% |
0 |
| Duration of disease (years) |
16.5 ± 9.8 |
n/a |
| Peripheral Blood Eosinophls |
0.78 ± 0.04×109/l |
0.31 ± 0.02×109/l |
| FEV1 (mean ± SD) |
57.73 ± 2.56 |
107.5 ± 5.63 |
| FVC (mean ± SD) |
75.14 ±3.27 |
104.6 ± 6.87 |
| FEV/FVC (mean ± SD) |
66.34 ± 5.39 |
83 ± 4.62 |
| Medications |
- Inhaled corticosteroids: Symbicort II (Budesonide/Formoterol) (160/4.5 ug) (1–2 inhalations twice daily). |
No |
| |
- Anti-leukotriene: Singulair (montelukast sodium) (10 mg/d). |
|
| - Ventolin (albuterol) (as needed). |
Except for the medications indicated above, the patients were not receiving any other immunosupressive drugs. FEV1 forced expiratory volume; FVC forced vital capacity.