Table 1. Baseline characteristics of healthy control (HC), mild asthmatic (MA) and moderate asthmatic (MO) volunteers.
Data are expressed as median values (IQr) to 2 d. p. N.D. indicates not determined. Data were analysed using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Dunn’s Multiple Comparisons test. PC20 and ACQ data were analysed using a Mann-Whitney U test.
| HC | MA | MO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Sex (M/F) | 5/7 | 6/6 | 6/8 |
| Age | 23.5 (22 – 31) | 24 (21 – 29.5) | 44 (31.5 – 49)*** ¶ |
| Atopy | No | Yes | Yes |
| FEV1, % predicted | 110.5 (102.3 – 120.3) | 99.75 (88.6 – 109.7) | 92.10 (80.35 – 105)*** |
| FEV1/FVC | 0.85 (0.79 – 0.88) | 0.80 (0.72 – 0.83) | 0.78 (0.70 – 0.85) |
| Methacholine PC20 | Not Achieved | 2.59 (0.57 – 5.22) | 1.14 (0.36 – 5.69) |
| Inhaled corticosteroids | No | No | Yes |
| ACQ score | N.D. | 0.43 (0.15 – 0.71) | 1.07 (0.43 – 1.57)† |
| Sputum cells, % | |||
| Macrophages | 59.25 (46.78 – 73.15) | 48.8 (33.5 – 61.9) | 48.8 (42.9 – 76.05) |
| Neutrophils | 34.9 (17.75 – 44) | 34.15 (19.4 – 54.65) | 36.0 (18.28 – 50.25) |
| Eosinophils | 0.38 (0.0 – 0.98) | 1.38 (0.75 – 5.5)** | 2.5 (0.63 – 8.15)** |
| Lymphocytes | 0.25 (0.0 – 0.50) | 0.25 (0.0 – 0.75) | 0.25 (0.0 – 0.5) |
| Epithelial cells | 3.80 (0.75 – 8.30) | 4.65 (1.0 – 7.75) | 2.13 (1.0 – 9.25) |
| BAL cells, % | |||
| Macrophages | 86.55 (74.9 – 90.15) | 77.15 (74.55 – 84.65) | 66.25 (52.75 – 80.75)** |
| Neutrophils | 3.05 (1.63 – 5.25) | 4.65 (2.38 – 5.15) | 8.90 (5.4 – 16.05)*** ‡ |
| Eosinophils | 0.25 (0.0 – 0.88) | 1.75 (1.0 – 3.38)** | 2.40 (0.63 – 5.38)*** |
| Lymphocytes | 1.0 (0.63 – 1.38) | 1.13 (0.70 – 2.13) | 1.0 (0.38 – 1.38) |
| Epithelial cells | 9.30 (4.15 – 17.05) | 12.15 (5.70 – 19.88) | 17.15 (10.0 – 26.05) |
**
p<0.01 versus HC,
***
p<0.001 versus HC,
†
p<0.05 versus MA,
‡
p<0.01 versus MA,
¶
p<0.001 versus MA.