Characteristics of the non-OCS and OCS dependent subgroups
| Variables | Non-OCS dependent (n=428) | OCS dependent (n=188) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean age, years (SD) | 47.6 (11.72) | 51.0 (9.81) | <0.001* |
| Sex, female % (n) | 65 (279) | 57 (108) | 0.067† |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) (SD) | 28.4 (6.05) | 28.5 (5.74) | 0.875* |
| Race, white % (n) | 89 (380) | 89 (167) | 0.228† |
| FEV1 % predicted (SD) | |||
| Prebronchodilator | 60.7 (14.58) | 57.3 (18.35) | 0.014* |
| Postbronchodilator | 72.3 (16.87) | 67.7 (19.38) | 0.003* |
| FEV1 L (SD) | |||
| Prebronchodilator | 1.91 (0.62) | 1.80 (0.73) | 0.045* |
| Postbronchodilator | 2.28 (0.72) | 2.12 (0.79) | 0.014* |
| FVC L (SD) | |||
| Prebronchodilator | 3.03 (0.92) | 2.89 (1.00) | 0.076* |
| Postbronchodilator | 3.38 (0.97) | 3.26 (1.06) | 0.161* |
| FEV1/FVC ratio (SD) | |||
| PreBronchodilator | 0.63 (0.12) | 0.62 (0.13) | 0.159* |
| PostBronchodilator | 0.68 (0.13) | 0.66 (0.18) | 0.079* |
| Reversibility | |||
| Mean % reversibility (SD) | 24.1 (19.74) | 26.1 (25.82) | 0.282* |
| Inflammation characteristics | |||
| Median baseline FENO ppb (IQR) | 27.5 (17–52) | 38 (22–65) | <0.001‡ |
| Median baseline sputum eosinophil count % (IQR)δ | n=46 11.25 (2.75–30.75) | n=40 13.88 (4.00–40.25) | 0.436‡ |
| Median baseline peripheral blood eosinophil count, cells/µL (IQR) | 290 (150–510) | 280 (130–510) | 0.372‡ |
| Inflammation criteria at study entry | |||
| Peripheral eosinophils≥300 cells/µL in previous 12 months % (n) | 71 (256/359) | 65 (109/168) | 0.136† |
| Peripheral eosinophils≥150 cells/µL at baseline % (n) | 77 (328) | 74 (139) | 0.471† |
| Sputum eosinophils≥3% in previous 12 months % (n) | 41 (36/88) | 61 (28/46) | 0.028† |
| FENO≥50 ppb at baseline or in previous 12 months % (n) | 44 (174/392) | 52 (88/168) | 0.082† |
| Patient-reported outcomes | |||
| Mean ACQ-6 score (SD) | 2.3 (1.06) | 2.5 (1.17) | 0.077* |
| Mean overall AQLQ (SD) | 4.2 (1.17) | 4.2 (1.24) | 0.993* |
*p-value from a t-test.
†p-value from a chi-squared test.
‡p-value from a Wilcoxon test.
δInterquartile range.
ACQ-6, asthma control questionnaire; AQLQ, asthma quality of life questionnaire; OCS, oral corticosteroids.