Table 2

Sputum cell counts

COPDHealthy
Total cell count (× 106 cells)10.8 (2.7–127.5)2-150 6.5 (1.8–15.4)
Squamous cells (%)4 (1–51)7 (0–52)
Macrophages (%)2-151 18.3 (5.6–59.7)** 43.2 (19.3–77.4)
Neutrophils (%)2-151 75.8 (39.0–93.0)2-150 53.7 (15.3–77.0)
Lymphocytes (%)2-151 1.5 (0–6.7)2.3 (0.7–4.3)
Eosinophils (%)2-151 1.2 ( 0–5.2)0.5 (0–2.2)
Non-squamous epithelial cells (%)2-151 0.7 (0–4.2)1.7 (0–15.2)

  • Data are presented as medians (ranges).

  • ↵2-150 p<0.05; **p<0.01.

  • ↵2-151 Percentage of total non-squamous cell count.