Table 1. Patient characteristics.
| Characteristics | Primary care | Secondary care |
|---|---|---|
| Patients, n | 46 | 46 |
| Age in years, mean (s.d.) | 46.6 (12.7) | 41.3 (14.2) |
|
Sex, n (%)
| ||
| Male | 19 (41.3) | 11 (23.4) |
| Female | 27 (58.7) | 35 (76.6) |
|
Diagnosis, n (%)
| ||
| Asthma | 26 (56.5) | 26 (55.3) |
| Rhinitis | 31 (67.4) | 46 (100.0) |
|
Age of onset in years, mean (s.d.)
| ||
| Asthma | 37.0 (15.1) | 19.8 (14.5) |
| Rhinitis | 32.7 (11.1) | 19.4 (10.5) |
| Respiratory co-morbiditya n (%) | 4 (8.7) | 11 (23.9) |
|
Type of allergen
b, n (%)
| ||
| Not allergic | 12 (26.1) | 1 (2.2) |
| Pollen | 18 (39.1) | 39 (84.8) |
| Non-pollen allergen | 8 (17.4) | 5 (10.9) |
| Unknown | 8 (17.4) | 1 (2.2) |
| ACQ5 score, mean (s.d.) | 1.1 (1.2) | 0.9 (0.9) |
| Skin prick test, n (%) | 1 (2.2) | 15 (32.6) |
| Specific IgE, n (%) | 2 (4.4) | 30 (65.2) |
| Lung function, n (%) | 41 (89.1) | 33 (71.7) |
| % predicted FEV1, mean (s.d.) | 102.3 (14.4) | 98.7 (15.4) |
|
Medication use
c, n (%)
| ||
| Antihistamines | ||
| Local | 1 (2.2) | 7 (15.2) |
| Systemic | 7 (15.2) | 21 (45.7) |
| Corticosteroids | ||
| Nasal | 10 (21.7) | 32 (69.6) |
| Pulmonal | 19 (41.3) | 18 (39.1) |
| Systemic | 2 (4.3) | 3 (6.5) |
| B-sympathicomimetics | ||
| Short-acting | 12 (26.1) | 29 (63.0) |
| Long-acting | 13 (28.3) | 10 (21.7) |
| Leukotrien antagonists | 4 (8.7) | 8 (17.4) |
| Immunotherapy | 0 (0.0) | 3 (6.5) |
| Decongestives | 3 (6.5) | 0 (0.0) |
Abbreviations: ACQ, Asthma Control Questionnaire; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second.
a
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exclusively.
b
Based on history. Data for skin prick tests and specific IgE could not be described because of different outcome measures at each centre.
c
Medication as taken by patients.