Table 8.
The association of plasma BDNF concentration with clinical characteristics in asthma patients.
| Clinical Characteristics | Median (25%; 75%) | Plasma BDNF Concentration (pg/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Serum IgE (IU/mL) | 191.00 (43.00; 398.00) | p = 0.50; Spearman correlation r = −0.06 |
| Blood eosinophils (×109/L) | 0.215 (0.10; 0.40) | p = 0.69; Spearman correlation r = 0.04 |
| Blood neutrophils (×109/L) | 4.560 (3.62; 6.30) | p = 0.92; Spearman correlation r = −0.01 |
| FeNO (ppb) | 34.00 (14.28; 67.75) | p = 0.98; Spearman correlation r = −0.002 |
| FEV1 (% of predicted value) | 74.90 (54.28; 90.08) | p = 0.41; Spearman correlation r = 0.07 |
| FVC (% of predicted value) | 88.50 (75.08; 101.80) | p = 0.65; Spearman correlation r = −0.04 |
| PEF (% of predicted value) | 77.05 (57.25; 95.52) | p = 0.58; Spearman correlation r = −0.05 |
| DLCO (%) | 83.30 (73.68; 95.35) | p = 0.055: Spearman correlation r = −0.17 |
| Duration of disease (years) | 13.50 (8.00; 29.00) | p = 0.023; Spearman correlation r = 0.21 |
| Comorbidities (n) | 2.00 (1.25; 4.00) | p = 0.35; Spearman correlation r = 0.08 |
| Clinical Characteristics | n (%) | Plasma BDNF Concentration (pg/mL) |
| Penicillin allergy | 25 (20.83) | p = 0.18; U = 977.50; Mann-Whitney test |
| Nutritive allergy | 12 (10.00) | p = 0.10; U = 458.50; Mann-Whitney test |
| Animal dander/feather allergy | 18 (15.00) | p = 0.31; U = 779.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Dust allergy | 51 (42.50) | p = 0.06; U = 1408.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Pollen allergy | 53 (44.17) | p = 0.72; U = 1709.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Fungal/mold allergy | 9 (7.50) | p = 0.28; U = 390.50; Mann-Whitney test |
| Early onset asthma (age < 12 years) | 21 (17.50) | p = 0.12; U = 817.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| History of pneumonia | 21 (17.50) | p = 0.026; U = 718.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Emergency intervention (ever) | 89 (74.17) | p = 0.53; U = 1274.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Hospitalization for asthma (ever) | 58 (48.33) | p = 0.70; U = 1724.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Nasal polyps | 27 (22.50) | p = 0.025; U = 891.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Aspirin sensitivity | 11 (9.17) | p = 0.009; U = 314.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Allergen specific immunotherapy | 15 (12.50) | p = 0.99; U = 787.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Oral corticosteroid therapy | 30 (25.00) | p = 0.58; U = 1258.00; Mann-Whitney test |
| Biological therapy | 20 (16.67) | p = 0.80; U = 962.50; Mann-Whitney test |
DLCO = diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide; FeNO = fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC = forced vital capacity; IgE = immunoglobulin E; PEF = peak expiratory flow; ppb = parts per billion.