Table 1. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants.
| Variables | Mild COPD | Moderate COPD | Severe COPD | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | ||||
| Mean ± SD (range) | 78 ± 11 (51–95) | 72 ± 10 (51–91) | 68 ± 8 (50–81) | 0.008a |
| BH (m) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 1.64 ± 0.07 | 1.66 ± 0.07 | 1.63 ± 0.07 | 0.630a |
| BW (Kg) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 61.79 ± 9.75 | 63.86 ± 10.24 | 58.94 ± 8.88 | 0.277a |
| BMI | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 22.85 ± 3.51 | 23.35 ± 3.71 | 22.09 ± 3.40 | 0.535a |
| WBC (per ul) | ||||
| Median (range) | 6700 (4090–9060) | 6470 (4620–13740) | 9335 (2580–19590) | 0.081b |
| Eosinophil (%) | ||||
| Median (range) | 2.10 (0.5–10.9) | 1.75 (0–8.4) | 1.60 (0–14.8) | 0.354b |
| Eosinophil (per ul) | ||||
| Median (range) | 146 (29–701) | 118 (0–597) | 162 (0–881) | 0.216b |
| IgE (kU/L) | ||||
| Median (range) | 53.45 (1.50–7758.30) | 20.80 (1.5–436.30) | 62.50 (6.80–2130.30) | 0.296b |
| Smoking (n) | ||||
| Yes | 15 | 17 | 18 | 0.432c |
| No | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| CAT | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 6.60 ± 3.50 | 9.45 ± 6.92 | 14.25 ± 6.30 | <0.001a |
| Score < 10 (n) | 17 | 12 | 6 | 0.002c |
| Score≧10 (n) | 3 | 8 | 14 | |
| mMRC | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 0.35 ± 0.59 | 1.05 ± 1.19 | 1.80 ± 1.06 | <0.001a |
| Score < 2 (n) | 19 | 12 | 8 | 0.001c |
| Score≧2 (n) | 1 | 8 | 12 | |
| Pulmonary function test | ||||
| Pre-bronchodilator | ||||
| FVC (L) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 3.18 ± 0.61 | 2.88 ± 0.65 | 2.48 ± 0.54 | 0.002a |
| FVC (% predicted) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 115.65 ± 24.85 | 96.45 ± 17.70 | 84.80 ± 21.21 | <0.001a |
| FEV1 (L) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 2.05 ± 0.48 | 1.52 ± 0.39 | 0.97 ± 0.24 | <0.001a |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 98.40 ± 20.23 | 65.95 ± 13.30 | 42.15 ± 11.38 | <0.001a |
| FEV1/FVC ratio (%) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 64.80 ± 11.38 | 54.05 ± 13.18 | 40.10 ± 10.85 | <0.001a |
| Post-bronchodilator | ||||
| FVC ± SD (L) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 3.33 ± 0.51 | 3.03 ± 0.66 | 2.64 ± 0.64 | 0.003a |
| FVC (% predicted) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 120.75 ± 19.30 | 101.85 ± 18.23 | 90.05 ± 22.60 | <0.001a |
| FEV1 (L) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 2.10 ± 0.43 | 1.63 ± 0.39 | 1.03 ± 0.27 | <0.001a |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 101.30 ± 18.41 | 71.20 ± 13.59 | 44.60 ± 12.48 | <0.001a |
| FEV1/FVC ratio (%) | ||||
| Mean ± SD | 63.15 ± 7.97 | 54.80 ± 11.44 | 40.10 ± 11.38 | <0.001a |
| Medication | ||||
| LAMA (n) | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0.005c |
| LABA (n) | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| LAMA+LABA (n) | 4 | 7 | 8 | |
| ICS+LABA (n) | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| ICS+LAMA+LABA (n) | 2 | 6 | 11 |
SD = standard deviation; COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; n = number of subjects; BH = body height; WB = body weight; BMI = body mass index; WBC = white blood cell; CAT = COPD Assessment Test; mMRC = Modified Medical Research Council; FVC = forced vital capacity; FEV1 = Forced expiratory volume in one second; LAMA = long-acting muscarinic antagonist; LABA = long-acting beta agonist; ICS = inhaled corticosteroid.
a: The statistical analysis was tested by One-way ANOVA.
b: The statistical analysis was tested by Kruskal-Wallis test.
c: The statistical analysis was tested by χ2-test.