Patient characteristics at baseline
| Characteristic | Placebo | Montelukast | Beclomethasone |
| Subjects n | 103 | 313 | 314 |
| Age yrs | 35.5±14.6 | 35.9±14.9 | 35.5±15.0 |
| Duration of asthma yrs | 18.7±13.1 | 19.0±12.2 | 18.2±12.4 |
| FEV1 L | 2.15±0.64 | 2.20±0.66 | 2.25±0.65 |
| FEV1 % pred | 68±12 | 69±12 | 68±11 |
| Daily β‐agonist use puffs·day−1 | 5.5±3.9 | 5.2±3.7 | 5.1±3.3 |
Data are presented as mean±sd
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second