TABLE I.
Characteristics of patients in the GINAlow and GINAhigh groups
| Control subjects (n = 15) | GINAlow group (GINA steps 1–3 [n = 15]) | GINAhigh group (GINA steps 4 and 5 [n = 25]) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (y) | 25–77 | 7–86 | 9–79 | |
| Sex (M/F) | 7/8 | 5/10 | 11/14 | |
| Prebronchodilator | ||||
| FVC (L) | 4.2 ± 0.03 | 3.0 ± 0.3* | 2.6 ± 0.2* | |
| FVC (% predicted) | 100.5 ± 2.9 | 92.5 ± 4.8 | 69.5 ± 3.4*† | |
| FEV1 (L) | 3.3 ± 0.3 | 2.1 ± 0.2* | 1.6 ± 0.1* | |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | 100.9 ± 3.0 | 81.2 ± 5.0* | 53.3 ± 3.3*† | |
| FEV1/FVC ratio (%) | 79.5 ± 1.5 | 69.6 ± 2.2* | 52.9 ± 4.4*† | |
| Postbronchodilator | ||||
| FEV1 (L) | 3.4 ± 0.3 | 2.4 ± 0.2* | 1.9 ± 0.1* | |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | 97.0 ± 7.2 | 91.9 ± 4.8 | 66.6 ± 4.0*† | |
| FEV1/FVC ratio (%) | 82 ± 1 | 74 ± 3* | 64 ± 2*† | |
| Increase in FEV1 after bronchodilator (%) | 2.5 ± 0.7 | 15.0 ± 2.3* | 27.3 ± 4.2*† | |
| Fixed airflow obstruction (yes/no) | NA | 4/11 | 18/7 | <.01 |
| Serum IgE (IU/mL) | 56 ± 18 | 122 ± 59 | 331 ± 109 | |
| Blood eosinophils (cells/mm3) | 0.14 ± 0.02 | 0.46 ± 0.08* (n = 13) | 0.66 ± 0.11* (n = 23) | |
| FENO (ppb) | NA | 18 ± 3 (n = 10) | 35 ± 8 (n = 16) | NS |
| Positive skin test results to inhaled allergens (yes/no) | NA | 10/2 | 17/7 | NS |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 25 ± 1 | 25 ± 1 | 31 ± 2*† | |
| Asthma exacerbations in prior 12 mo (yes/no) | NA | 5/15 | 18/25 | <.05 |
| ICS (μg per 24 h) | NA | 426 ± 127 | 1069 ± 144 | NS |
| OCS (no. of patients) | NA | 0/15 | 10/25 | <.01 |
| LTRA (yes/no) | NA | 9/6 | 19/6 | NS |
BMI, Body mass index; F, female; LTRA, leukotriene receptor antagonist; M, male; NA, not applicable; NS, not significant.
*
Significant difference from control group.
†
Significant difference between the GINAhigh and GINAlow groups. Statistical significance in the right column represents Mantel-Haenszel analysis of the GINAhigh and GINAlow groups.