TABLE II.
Clinical characteristics of patients with TH2-high and those with TH2-low asthma
| TH2-low asthma | TH2-high asthma | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | 11 | 26 | |
| Age (y) | 32.6 ± 13.3 | 37.6 ± 13.1 | .30 |
| Female sex, no. (%) | 6 (55) | 17 (65) | .53 |
| FEV1 (%) | 88.6 ± 14.0 | 75.1 ± 17.3* | <.05 |
| Sputum eosinophils (%) | 0.33 (0.59) | 3.4 (3.4)* | <.01 |
| Blood eosinophils (cells/μL) | 139 ± 371 | 371 ± 268* | <.01 |
| IgE (IU/mL) | 312 ± 404 | 402 ± 506 | .60 |
| Feno (ppb) | 28.1 ± 17.6 | 49.6 ± 26.4* | <.05 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 27.5 ± 5.6 | 29.3 ± 7.4 | .48 |
| ACT score | 20.5 ± 3.7 | 17.8 ± 3.7* | <.05 |
| logPC20 | 0.14 ± 0.47 | –0.22 ± 59 | .08 |
| Exacerbation rate (no./y) | 0.36 ± 0.78 | 0.42 ± 1.20 | .88 |
| Taking ICSs, no. (%) | 4 (36) | 16 (62) | .16 |
| Periostin | 13.2 ± 3.4 | 15.4 ± 2.9* | <.05 |
| SerpinB2 | 17.0 ± 1.3 | 17.6 ± 1.5 | .21 |
| CLCA1 | 8.1 ± 6.9 | 14.0 ± 6.1* | <.01 |
| IL17 | 17.0 ± 2.1 | 15.8 ± 4.0 | .34 |
| IFN-γ | 17.8 ± 0.9 | 17.1 ± 2.0 | .23 |
Gene expression is normalized and log2 transformed. TH2 inflammation is determined based on the scaled and centered mean gene expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13.
ACT, Asthma Control Test; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids.
*
Significant difference from patients with TH2-low asthma (P < .05).