Baseline characteristics of subjects in the intention-to-treat population
| Patient characteristic | Internet group (n=51) | Conventional management group (n=38) |
| Age (years) | 48.5 (±12.4) | 52.4 (±11.7) |
| Male sex, n (% total n) | 23 (45) | 18 (47) |
| Body mass index | 28.3 (±5.4) | 30 (±8.8) |
| Atopy, n (% total n) | 23 (45) | 19 (50) |
| Age of asthma onset (years) | 26 (4–42) | 24.5 (3–40) |
| Duration of daily OCS use (months) | 36 (12–132) | 46 (12–120) |
| Dose of prednisone (mg/day) | 10 (5–15) | 10 (5–15) |
| Dose of ICS (μg/day)* | 1250 (750–1500) | 1000 (750–1500) |
| Never smokers, n (% total n) | 30 (58.8) | 21 (55.3) |
| Pack-years (only ever smokers) | 3 (3.1–9.7) | 5 (3.6–12) |
| Pre-bronchodilator FEV1† | ||
| Litres | 2.52 (±1.02) | 2.40 (±1.42) |
| % Predicted | 76.3 (±24.7) | 71.3 (±21) |
| Change in FEV1 after β2 (%)† | 7.2 (1.3–13.5) | 8.5 (3.1–18) |
| Pre-bronchodilator FVC† | ||
| Litres | 3.24 (±1.5) | 3.58 (±0.9) |
| % Predicted | 113 (±11.1) | 94 (±15.5) |
| FEV1/FVC ratio | 0.63 (±0.18) | 0.69 (±0.49) |
| Exhaled nitric oxide (ppb)† | 38 (18–81) | 34 (13–75) |
| Juniper ACQ score‡ | 2.2 (±1.11) | 2.5 (±0.95) |
| Juniper AQLQ score§ | 5.0 (±1.06) | 4.6 (±1.18) |
Data are presented as median (25–75th percentile) or mean±SD unlessotherwise stated.
Atopy is defined as at least one positive radioallergosorbent test for common aeroallergens.
All p values are >0.05.
↵* The doses of all ICS were converted to the equivalent dose of fluticasone.
↵† FEV1, FVC and exhaled nitric oxide measured at study baseline visit.
↵‡ The Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire score ranges from 0 to 7, with higher scores indicating worse control.
↵§ The Juniper Quality of Life Questionnaire score ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
ACQ, Asthma Control Questionnaire; AQLQ, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; OCS, oral corticosteroids; ppb, parts per billion.