TABLE 4. Cluster Specific Outcomes for Longitudinal Study.

		Study Group
Cluster	Outcomes	Clinical (n = 10)	Sputum (n = 8)	Significance
1: Obese female	Δ Inhaled corticosteroid dose*/μg per day (SEM)	−400 (328)	−462 (271)	0.89
	Severe exacerbation frequency over 12 mo (SEM)	1.40 (0.78)	1.50 (0.80)	0.93
	Number commenced on oral corticosteroids	2	1	0.59
		Clinical (n = 15)	Sputum (n = 24)
2: Inflammation predominant	Δ Inhaled corticosteroid dose*/μg per day (SEM)	+753 (334)	+241 (233)	0.22
	Severe exacerbation frequency over 12 mo (SEM)	3.53 (1.18)	0.38 (0.13)	0.002
	Number commenced on oral corticosteroids	2	9	0.17
		Clinical (n = 7)	Sputum (n = 4)
3: Early symptom predominant	Δ Inhaled corticosteroid dose*/μg per day (SEM)	+1,429 (429)	−400 (469)	0.022
	Severe exacerbation frequency over 12 mo (SEM)	5.43 (1.90)	2.50 (0.87)	0.198
	Number commenced on oral corticosteroids	6	0	Undefined

^*Expressed as equivalent dose of beclomethasone.

A comparison of prespecified asthma outcomes between the two management protocols analyzed according to cluster allocation of subjects at study entry.