Patient characteristics, lung function and medication use in group 1 (near fatal asthma), group 2 (moderate asthma), group 3 (mild asthma), and group 4 (normal controls)
| Group 1 (n=15) | Group 2 (n=13) | Group 3 (n=12) | Group 4 (n=14) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M/F | 4/11 | 3/10 | 4/8 | 5/9 |
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 45 (12) | 46 (10) | 42 (12) | 42 (11) |
| Mean (SD) duration of asthma (years) | 25 (16) | 23 (13) | 28 (15) | NA |
| Atopy (yes/no) | 8/7 | 8/5 | 7/5 | NA |
| Inhaled steroids | All | All | 6 | |
| Theophylline | 3 | 2 | None | |
| Systemic steroids | 2 | 2 | None | |
| Mean (SD) FEV1 (% predicted)1-150 | 68 (8) | 73 (11) | 102 (12) | 103 (12) |
| Mean (SD) RV (% predicted)1-151 | 145 (27) | 168 (33) | 111 (24) | ND |
| Mean (SD) FRC (% predicted)1-151 | 131 (20) | 140 (23) | 110 (15) | ND |
| Mean (SD) TLC (% predicted) | 113 (10) | 119 (14) | 115 (10) | ND |
FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in one second; RV = residual volume; FRC = functional residual capacity; TLC = total lung capacity; NA = not available, ND = not done.
↵1-150 There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2, but both groups were significantly different from either group 3 or 4 (p < 0.001).
↵1-151 Groups 1 and 2 had higher RV and FRC than group 3 (p < 0.03).