Table 2. Comparison of clinical variables between exacerbation and non-exacerbation groups among EA and NEA.
| Characteristics | EA (≥ 65 yr) | NEA (< 65 yr) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exacerbation (n = 156) | Non-exacerbation (n = 347) | P value | Exacerbation (n = 187) | Non-exacerbation (n = 377) | P value | |
| Age (yr) | 79.57 ± 6.65 | 77.64 ± 7.42 | 0.006 | 35.93 ± 10.58 | 38.84 ± 9.67 | 0.002 |
| Sex (male) | 102 (65.4) | 179 (51.6) | 0.005 | 148 (39.3) | 68 (36.4) | NS |
| Symptom duration (yr) | 9.86 ± 5.11 | 7.91 ± 5.10 | 0.044 | 5.98 ± 4.25 | 5.85 ± 3.83 | NS |
| Smoking status (yes) | 63 (40.4) | 90 (25.9) | < 0.001 | 50 (13.3) | 30 (16.1) | NS |
| Baseline FEV1 (L) | 1.24 ± 0.45 | 1.64 ± 0.54 | < 0.001 | 2.83 ± 0.74 | 2.06 ± 0.87 | < 0.001 |
| Baseline FEV1 (% predicted) | 64.41 ± 20.33 | 86.50 ± 23.30 | < 0.001 | 68.47 ± 17.03 | 64.41 ± 23.67 | < 0.001 |
| Baseline FVC (L) | 2.09 ± 0.68 | 2.26 ± 0.69 | 0.016 | 3.44 ± 0.87 | 2.82 ± 0.99 | < 0.001 |
| Baseline FVC (% predicted) | 75.80 ± 19.64 | 85.26 ± 19.22 | < 0.001 | 88.93 ± 14.53 | 73.23 ± 20.38 | < 0.001 |
| Baseline FEV1/FVC ratio | 59.42 ± 9.70 | 72.96 ± 11.30 | < 0.001 | 82.53 ± 8.75 | 72.41 ± 13.03 | < 0.001 |
| Fixed airway obstruction | 94 (60.2) | 66 (19.0) | < 0.001 | 63 (16.7) | 34 (18.2) | NS |
| Eosinophil count (number/L) | 260.89 ± 261.46 | 294.70 ± 541.55 | NS | 337.42 ± 326.67 | 514.33 ± 478.78 | < 0.001 |
| Atopy (yes) | 25 (16.2) | 79 (22.7) | NS | 230 (61.0) | 123 (65.7) | NS |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 24.96 ± 4.02 | 25.11 ± 3.99 | NS | 23.40 ± 3.34 | 23.56 ± 3.53 | NS |
| Chronic sinusitis (yes) | 79 (50.6) | 128 (36.9) | 0.003 | 143 (37.9) | 64 (46.5) | NS |
| ICS fluticasone equivalent dose (µg/day) | 547.43 ± 35.95 | 360.30 ± 34.28 | < 0.001 | - | - | - |
| Severe asthma | 100 (64.1) | 103 (29.7) | < 0.001 | 110 (58.8) | 48 (12.7) | < 0.001 |
Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation or number (%).
EA, elderly asthma; NEA, non-elderly asthma; BMI, body mass index; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity; NS, not significant; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid.