Table 5.
Asthma history differences between patients with asthma only and ACOS
| Variable | ACOS (N=366) | Asthma only (N=825) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years diagnosed (asthma) | 0.039 | ||
| n | 312 | 667 | |
| Mean ± SD | 11.5±12.6 | 9.9±10.7 | |
| Diagnosing physician (asthma) | 0.129 | ||
| General internist (%) | 154 (42.08) | 285 (34.55) | |
| Allergist (%) | 46 (12.57) | 105 (12.73) | |
| Pediatrician (%) | 18 (4.92) | 43 (5.21) | |
| Pulmonologist (%) | 87 (23.77) | 199 (24.12) | |
| Other (%) | 7 (1.91) | 35 (4.24) | |
| Asthma severity (with medication) | 0.164 | ||
| Mild intermittent (%) | 188 (51.37) | 395 (47.88) | |
| Mild persistent (%) | 79 (21.58) | 161 (19.52) | |
| Moderate persistent (%) | 19 (5.19) | 59 (7.15) | |
| Severe persistent (%) | 2 (0.55) | 2 (0.24) | |
| Asthma severity (without medication) | <0.001 | ||
| Mild intermittent (%) | 152 (41.53) | 362 (43.88) | |
| Mild persistent (%) | 109 (29.78) | 274 (33.21) | |
| Moderate persistent (%) | 89 (24.32) | 163 (19.76) | |
| Severe persistent (%) | 16 (4.37) | 26 (3.15) | |
| Asthma treatment | <0.001 | ||
| Untreated (%) | 33 (9.02) | 71 (8.61) | |
| OTC only (%) | 95 (25.96) | 211 (25.58) | |
| Rx only (%) | 88 (24.04) | 209 (25.33) | |
| OTC and Rx (%) | 150 (40.98) | 334 (40.48) | |
| Causes of asthma | |||
| Allergies/allergic reaction (%) | 190 (51.91) | 373 (45.21) | 0.013 |
| Exercise/physical activity (%) | 69 (18.85) | 176 (21.33) | 0.485 |
| Illnesses/conditions (eg, colds, flu) (%) | 188 (51.37) | 334 (40.48) | 0.003 |
| Pollutants/airborne irritants (%) | 156 (42.62) | 296 (35.88) | <0.001 |
| Secondhand smoke (%) | 82 (22.40) | 153 (18.55) | 0.149 |
| Stress/anxiety/emotional states (%) | 97 (26.50) | 168 (20.36) | 0.036 |
| Weather/temperature (%) | 166 (45.36) | 290 (35.15) | 0.010 |
| None of these (%) | 3 (0.82) | 16 (1.94) | <0.001 |
| ACT score | <0.001 | ||
| N | 366 | 825 | |
| Mean ± SD | 18.8±4.6 | 18.3±4.7 |
Note: The P-values in this table are based on a chi-square test (for categorical variables) or a one-way ANOVA test (for continuous variables).
Abbreviations: ACT, asthma control test; ACOS, asthma COPD overlap syndrome; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; OTC, over-the-counter; SD, standard deviation; Rx, prescription medication.