Response to 2 weeks of prednisolone during the run-in period for all subjects (n=30)
| Baseline (preprednisolone) | Randomisation (postprednisolone) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sputum eosinophils (%)* | 16 (7.3–38.0) (n=29) | 0 (0–2.3) (n=21) | <0.001 |
| Sputum neutrophils (%)* | 44.5 (31.8–70.5) (n=29) | 78.3 (56.9–94.0) (n=21) | 0.005 |
| FEV1 (litres)† | 1.9 (0.6) | 2.4 (0.7) | <0.001 |
| ACQ score† | 3.0 (0.9) | 1.5 (0.9) | <0.001 |
| AQLQ score† | 4.1 (1.1) | 5.6 (1.1) | <0.001 |
| FeNO (ppb)‡ | 50.9 (0.3) | 31.7 (0.3) | <0.001 |
| Corrected alveolar NO (ppb)* | 2.7 (1.3–6.4) | 1.9 (0.9–2.9) | 0.049 |
*Median (IQR).
†Mean (SD).
‡Geometric mean (log SD).
ACQ, Asthma Control Questionnaire; AQLQ, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire; FeNO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; NO, nitric oxide.