TABLE 3.
Baseline characteristics of the clusters
| Cluster | 1 (n = 23) | 2 (n = 19) | 3 (n = 35) | 4 (n = 28) | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female, (%) | 73.9 | 68.4 | 60.0 | 67.9 | N.S. |
| Mean age ± SD, year | 57.6 ± 9.9 | 34.9 ± 8.5 | 55.1 ± 12.2 | 62 ± 8.7 | <.01 |
| Mean age at onset ± SD, year | 46.3 ± 8.4 | 23.8 ± 10 | 26.9 ± 10.3 | 44.9 ± 11.9 | <.01 |
| Mean disease length ± SD, year | 11.3 ± 6.8 | 11.1 ± 9.6 | 28.3 ± 11.5 | 17 ± 9.8 | <.01 |
| Mean body mass index ± SD, Kg/m2 | 26.8 ± 5.6 | 28.3 ± 6.8 | 26.3 ± 4.2 | 26.3 ± 5.1 | N.S. |
| Relatives with atopy, n (%) | 43.5 | 47.4 | 85.7 | 25.0 | <.05 |
| SPT‐positive (perennial/seasonal allergens) | 100 | 78.9 | 97.1 | 7.1 | <.05 |
| Smoking history | N.S. | ||||
| ‐ Current smoker, n (%) | 8.7 | 0 | 2.9 | 0 | |
| ‐ Ex smokers, n (%) | 21.7 | 21.1 | 25.7 | 25 | |
| ‐ Never smoker, n (%) | 69.6 | 78.9 | 71.4 | 75.0 | |
| Peripheral blood eosinophil count (cells/μl), median (IQR) | 470 (390, 788) | 990 (830, 2100) | 700 (540, 900) | 745 (700, 840) | <.05 |
| Median FeNO 50, ppb ± IQR | 43.6 (35, 55) | 55 (35.4, 78) | 33.5 (14, 59) | 47.5 (42, 68) | N.S. |
| Total serum IgE level (kU/L), median (IQR) | 181 (93, 359) | 225 (131, 990) | 231 (185, 457) | 68 (50, 85) | <.01 |
| Mean pre‐bronchodilator FEV1% predicted ± SD | 55.7 ± 17.9 | 79.3 ± 17.8 | 54.1 ± 20 | 62.2 ± 15.5 | <.01 |
| Mean exacerbation number in the year prior to benralizumab, ± SD | 4.0 ± 2.1 | 3.6 ± 1.5 | 8.4 ± 3.9 | 4.1 ± 2.6 | <.01 |
| Drug use in the 6 months prior to benralizumab, | |||||
| ‐ LAMA, patients % | 60.9 | 47.4 | 82.9 | 82.1 | N.S. |
| ‐ OCS, patients % | 43.5 | 52.6 | 71.4 | 64.3 | N.S. |
| ‐ Mean prednisone eq. dose ± SD | 5.9 ± 8.8 | 5.5 ± 6.9 | 11.1 ± 10.4 | 7.21 ± 9.1 | N.S. |
| ‐ Azithromycin, % | 13 | 0 | 22.9 | 21.4 | <.05 |
| Previous allergen immunotherapy – AIT, patients (%) | 30.4 | 15.8 | 20 | 17.9 | N.S. |
| Comorbidities, number of patients | |||||
| ‐ Nasal polyposis (%) | 34.8 | 47.4 | 65.7 | 60.7 | N.S. |
| ‐ Bronchiectasis (%) | 17.4 | 21.1 | 42.9 | 17.9 | N.S. |
| SNOT 22, mean ± SD | 44.3 ± 18.6 | 50.9 ± 20.7 | 55.1 ± 21.8 | 42.38 ± 17.6 | N.S. |
| ACT score at baseline, mean ± SD | 12.8 ± 4.9 | 14.3 ± 4.7 | 12.8 ± 3.9 | 13.8 ± 3.4 | N.S. |
| AQLQ score at baseline, mean ± SD | 3.6 ± 0.9 | 3.8 ± 0.7 | 3.3 ± 1.2 | 3.7 ± 1.2 | N.S. |
Abbreviations: ACT, Asthma control test; AQLQ, Asthma quality of life questionnaire; FeNO, Fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV1, Forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, Forced vital capacity; IQR, Interquartile range; LAMA, Long‐acting muscarinic antagonist; OCS, Oral corticosteroids;SD, Standard deviation; SNOT‐22, Sino‐nasal outcome test; SPT, Skin prick test.