Clinical characteristics of the study subjects
| Normal controls | Asthmatic patients | |
|---|---|---|
| All values are mean (SD). | ||
| FEV1=forced expiratory volume in 1 second; PC20=concentration of methacholine provoking a fall in FEV1 of 20% or more; ND=not determined. | ||
| *Geometric mean. | ||
| †p<0.01 compared with normal controls. | ||
| M/F | 11 (6/5) | 23 (13/10) |
| Age (years) | 34.1 (7.7) | 34.8 (7.8) |
| FEV1 (% predicted) | 106.6 (5.7) | 90.1 (5.4)† |
| PC20 methacholine (μg/ml)* | ND | 3.34 (0.31) |
| 4% Maximal fall in FEV1 after exercise (%) | ND | 24.0 (13.3) |
| Sputum | ||
| % Eosinophils (%) | 1.0 (0.7) | 17.0 (6.9)† |
| ECP (ng/ml) | 113 (66) | 705 (288)† |
| VEGF (pg/ml) | 1345 (1304) | 7051 (2361)† |