TABLE 1.
Clinical and characteristics of study population
| All | HDM + | HDM ‐ | p‐value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | 20 | 7 | 13 | – |
| Age years (mean (range)) | 40.9 (20–73) | 32.4 (20–60) | 43.0 (23–73) | n.s. |
| Sex (M/F) | 8/12 | 2/5 | 5/8 | n.s. |
| Allergic sensitization | ||||
| Atopy (Yes/No) | 12/8 | 7/0 | 5/8 | 0.0074 |
| House dust mite (Yes/No) | 7/13 | 7/0 | 0/13 | <0.0001 |
| A. alternata (Yes/No) | 0/20 | 0/7 | 0/13 | n.s. |
| C. herbarum (Yes/No) | 0/20 | 0/7 | 0/13 | n.s. |
| A. vulgaris (Yes/No) | 4/16 | 2/5 | 2/11 | n.s. |
| B. pendula (Yes/No) | 6/14 | 3/4 | 3/10 | n.s. |
| P. pretense (Yes/No) | 8/12 | 5/2 | 3/10 | 0.0353 |
| Cat (Yes/No) | 7/13 | 5/2 | 2/11 | 0.0122 |
| Dog (Yes/No) | 7/13 | 3/4 | 4/9 | n.s. |
| Horse (Yes/No) | 2/18 | 1/6 | 1/12 | n.s. |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | 90.0 (82.5–101.5) | 86.0 (80.0–92.0) | 94.0 (83.0–104.0) | n.s. |
| FVC (% predicted) | 100.5 (93.0–116.5) | 101.0 (88.0–108.0) | 100.0 (94.5–118.5) | n.s. |
| FEV1/FVC (% predicted) | 73.5 (70.2–78.2) | 74.0 (68.0–76.0) | 73.0 (70.5–79.5) | n.s. |
| PD15 (mg) | 130.4 (37.4–206.3) | 37.5 (27.9–125.7) | 146.4 (104.9–214.8) | 0.0456 |
| ACQ6 | 2.1 (1.7–2.7) | 2.7 (1.7–3.5) | 2.0 (1.6–2.6) | n.s. |
| ICS dose (μg/day) | 1200 (800–1600) | 1200 (800–1600) | 1000 (800–1600) | n.s. |
| FeNO (ppb) | 24.5 (13.4–46.4) | 32.8 (17.2–62.1) | 22.7 (10.6–35.7) | n.s. |
| IgE (IU/ml) | 47.0 (23.0–197.0) | 110.0 (35.0–271.0) | 40.0 (15.5–189.5) | n.s. |
| Blood Eosinophils (x109/L; abs) | 0.30 (0.14–0.44) | 0.32 (0.14–0.48) | 0.26 (0.13–0.38) | n.s. |
| Blood Neutrophils (x109/L; abs) | 4.45 (2.65–5.65) | 5.20 (4.50–6.1) | 3.90 (2.40–4.75) | n.s. |
| Sputum Eosinophils (%) | 1.5 (0.37–16.5) | 19.5 (4.3–21.6) | 1.2 (0.16–7.2) | 0.0339 |
| Sputum Neutrophils (%) | 46.5 (21.7–75.7) | 63.5 (33.4–80.9) | 45.9 (20.0–75.9) | n.s. |
Data are presented as median value (Interquartile range), unless otherwise expressed.
Mann–Whitney U‐test for continuous variables and chi‐squared test for categorical variables.
Abbreviations: ACQ6, Asthma Control Questionnaire; FeNO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity; HDM, house dust mite; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; n.s, not significant; PD15, Dose of mannitol required to reduce the FEV1 by 15% of the baseline value.