Page 153 - ADULT-ONSET ASTHMA PREDICTORS OF CLINICAL COURSE AND SEVERITY

reported previously [10e12]. All patients were informed and gave written consent.
bronchodilator and postbronchodilator FE
pacity (FVC)) [18], single breath carb
capacity of the lung (TLCOc/VA) [19], For the PpRreEDseICnTtOsRtSuOdFyFpRaEtQieUnENtsT wEXitAhCEsReBvAeTrIeONasStIhNm(EaX)wSMeOreKIsNeGleAcNtDedNEVER SMOKING ADULTS WITH SEVERE ASTHMA
(see Fig. 1 for study flowchart); those using high intensity asthma
treatment as defined by GINA treatment step 4e5 (use of high dose
inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller or systemic corti-
costeroid use >50% of the previous year) [1] and with uncontrolled Figure 1. Study owchart.
asthma defined as either asthma control questionnaire (ACQ)-score
Fig. 1. Study flowchart.
bodyplethysmography (total lung capacity ume (RV)) [20] and airway hyperrespons (provocative concentration causing a 20% d
2.2.3. Inflammatory markers
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO
portable rapidresponse chemiluminescent Aerocrine, Sweden) [22]. Venous blood w ential white blood cell counts, total and allergens (ImmunoCAP, Thermo Scientific, surements were performed. Atopy was d specific IgE levels above 0.35 kU/L. Sput cessing was done according to internation as described previously [23]. Results for dif are presented as percentage of total non-s
2.3. Statistical analysis
First, characteristics of (ex)smokers a compared. Second, (ex)smoking patien frequent exacerbations and never smok without frequent exacerbations were comp made by either student t-test, Mann-Whit whenever appropriate.
In order to identify variables pote frequent exacerbations, all variables with comparison between patients with and w bations in the (ex)smoker or never smok univariate logistic regression analysis. Afte
151