Clinical characteristics of the non-asthmatic control group (n = 11)
| Age (years) | M/F | FEV1 (%) | Indication | Previous treatment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; GOR, gastro-oesophageal reflux. | |||||
| *Prescribed inhaled corticosteroids in the month before bronchoscopy. | |||||
| †Unable to perform spirometric tests. | |||||
| 9 | M | 72 | Haemoptysis | Antibiotics | No bleeding point found; Staph aureus in BAL fluid |
| 12 | F | 105 | Haemoptysis | None | No cause found; symptoms resolved |
| 10 | F | 69 | Suspected tracheomalacia* | Bronchodilators, inhaled steroids | Diagnosis confirmed |
| 8 | M | 104 | Chronic cough* | Antibiotics, bronchodilators,inhaled steroids | No cause found; symptoms resolved |
| 10 | F | 86 | Haemoptysis | None | No cause found; symptoms resolved |
| 10 | F | 78 | Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections* | Antibiotics, bronchodilators,inhaled steroids | No cause found |
| 7 | F | † | Persistent left upper lobe collapse; cause unknown* | Antibiotics, bronchodilators,inhaled steroids | Subsequent left upper lobectomy |
| 16 | F | 108 | Chronic cough | Antibiotics | Subsequent diagnosis of GOR |
| 11 | F | 81 | Chronic cough | Antibiotics | Tracheobronchomalacia diagnosed |
| 15 | F | 85 | Suspected tracheomalacia | None | Diagnosis confirmed |
| 10 | M | 76 | Recurrent productive cough | Antibiotics | Staph aureus and Haemophilus influenzae on BAL. Treated with antibiotics and omeprazole |