Table 1.
Demographics and measurements in the asthmatic patients divided by age group.
| Age <12 years (n = 71) | Age ≥12 years (n = 93) | |
|---|---|---|
| Males, n (%) | 48 (67.6) | 63 (67.7) |
| Age, years | 10.0 ± 1.2 | 14.3 ± 1.8** |
| Height, cm | 142.0 ± 8.2 | 163.0 ± 10.1** |
| Weight, kg | 39.2 ± 9.6 | 60.5 ± 11.8** |
| Atopy, n (%) | 63 (88.7) | 89 (95.7) |
| Prick index, inhalantsa | 4.1 ± 2.8 | 4.3 ± 2.5 |
| Prick index, foodsb | 0.7 ± 1.2 | 0.8 ± 1.1 |
| Passive smoke, n (%) | 26 (36.6) | 25 (26.9) |
| Therapy, n (%)c | 19 (26.8) | 21 (22.6) |
| ICs | 17 (23.9) | 18 (19.4) |
| Montelukast | 6 (8.5) | 10 (10.8) |
| FEV1, % predicted | 99.4 ± 13.1 | 102.5 ± 13.1 |
| FVC, % predicted | 105.1 ± 11.7 | 107.9 ± 13.6 |
| FEV1/FVC, % | 85.4 ± 7.5 | 83.6 ± 6.7 |
| PEF% predicted | 104.6 ± 16.4 | 108.9 ± 19.4 |
| FEF25–75, % predicted | 79.9 ± 24.4 | 83.7 ± 22.6 |
| ACT child | 22.0 (20.0–24.0) | 23.0 (21.0–25.0)* |
| ACT parent | 23.0 (20.0–25.0) | 24.0 (22.0–25.0) |
Frequencies are expressed as number and percentage; continuous variables are expressed as arithmetic mean ± SD or as median (interquartile range).
*p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 vs. subjects aged <12 years.
Prick indexa,b: sum of allergen skin-wheal reactions for common inhalants or foods, corrected by the histamine wheal size (millimeters). cCurrent therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) and/or montelukast.
EIB was defined as a post-exercise fall in FEV1 ≥12% from baseline.
ACT, asthma control test score.