Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the study sample comprising 178 patients with asthma managed at a university hospital respiratory outpatient clinic
| Baseline Characteristics | N (%) or Mean (SD) |
|---|---|
| Age (yrs.) | 47 (16) |
| Female | 136 (76.4%) |
| ACQ6-score | 1.32 (1.07, N = 114) |
| FeNO | 20.3 (18.8, N = 164) |
| BMI | 27.6 (5.8, N = 176) |
| Allergic Disease | 59 (36.7%, N = 164) |
| GERD | 41 (23.0%) |
| FEV1 (L) | 2.79 L (0.80) |
| FEV1%pred | 91% (18%) |
| FVC (L) | 3.67 L (1.02, N = 169) |
| FVC%pred | 102% (20, N = 169) |
| FEV1/FVC | 0.76 (0.09, N = 169) |
| History of Moderate Exacerbations* | 43 (24.2%) |
| 24-month Moderate Exacerbation Rate | 1.77 (1.27) |
| History of Severe Exacerbations** | 23 (12.9%) |
| 24-month Severe Exacerbation Rate | 1.65 (1.50) |
| GINA 2020 Asthma Severity Grade | |
| Mild Disease | 15 (8.4%) |
| Moderate Disease | 60 (33.7%) |
| Severe Disease | 103 (57.9%) |
*defined as either prescription of at least 37.5 mg oral prednisolone for at least 3 days, or hospitalization/emergency room admittance for less than 24 h in the last 24 months prior to inclusion. **defined as any exacerbation requiring hospitalization for at least 24 h and administration of oral or intravenous corticosteroids. N number of patients, yrs. years, ACQ Asthma Control Questionnaire, BMI Body Mass Index, FeNO Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide, FEV1 Forced Expired Volume in the first second, GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, GINA Global Initiative for Asthma