Table 1.
Subjects characteristics
| Control subjects | Asthma patients | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 16 | 51 | |
| Age, year | 38.19 ± 6.48 | 39.22 ± 12.56 | 0.759 |
| Sex, M:F (%F) | 8:8 (50) | 15:36 (70.1) | 0.13 |
| Body mass index | 22.08 ± 2.49 | 22.09 ± 2.65 | 0.99 |
| FEV1, % predicted | 99.70 ± 8.85 | 80.27 ± 17.24 | 0.0003 |
| Methacholine PD20, mg | 2.505 ± 0 | 0.14 ± 0.24 | < 0.0001 |
| Sputum eosinophil, % | 0.45 ± 0.55 | 16.01 ± 17.67 | < 0.0001 |
| Biopsy eosinophil, #/mm2 | 0.39 ± 1.28 | 13.40 ± 13.27 | < 0.0001 |
| Blood eosinophil, /μL | 109.3 ± 27.35 | 391.2 ± 47.15 | 0.0021 |
| FeNO, ppb | 20.05 ± 13.51 | 92.43 ± 59.40 | < 0.0001 |
Values are presented as mean ± SD
FEV1 forced expiratory volume in the first second. PD20 provocative dosage required to cause a 20% decline in FEV1. The minimal and maximal provocative dosages were 0.01 and 2.505 mg, respectively. FeNO fraction of exhaled nitric oxide