Clinical characteristics of study subjects
| Asthmatic patients (n=25) | Normal controls (n=12) | |
|---|---|---|
| Values are mean (range). | ||
| FEV1=forced expiratory volume in 1 second; PC20=concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1; ND=not determined. | ||
| *p<0.05, **p<0.01 asthmatic patients v normal controls. | ||
| †Geometric mean. | ||
| M:F | 14:11 | 7:5 |
| Age (years) | 39.8 (20–59)* | 31.8 (24–40) |
| FEV1 (%) | 90.7 (75–115)** | 115.7 (105–127) |
| PC20 methacholine (μg/ml)† | 3.28 (2.80–3.96) | ND |
| Sputum | ||
| Eosinophils (%) | 15.6 (1.0–32.0)** | 0.78 (0.1–1.5) |
| ECP (ng/ml) | 699.6 (90–1400)** | 118.3 (50–180) |