Patient characteristics in two asthmatic groups
| Group A | Group B | |
| Subjects n | 10 | 14 |
| Age yrs | 48±5 | 61±4 |
| F/M n | 5/5 | 7/7 |
| Length of illness yrs | 8.9±2.9 | 13.1±2.1 |
| Atopic/nonatopic n | 7/3 | 9/5 |
| Peripheral eosinophils µL | 334±112 | 355±85 |
| Serum IgE# IU | 1148±801 | 642±322 |
| VC % pred | 120.5±3.5 | 94.9±5.4** |
| FEV1 % pred before BD | 96.0±3.8 | 62.9±1.8** |
| FEV1/FVC % before BD | 76.5±2.0 | 63.2±2.2** |
| FEV1 % pred after BD | 102.4±3.7 | 69.8±2.3** |
| FEV1/FVC % after BD | 79.4±2.1 | 64.0±1.8** |
| RV/TLC % | 41.7±2.7 | 52.4±2.6* |
| DL,CO % pred | 111.3±7.7 | 103.1±3.3 |
Data are presented as mean±sem unless otherwise stated
F: female
M: male
Ig: immunoglobulin
VC: vital capacity
% pred: % predicted
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
BD: bronchodilator
FVC: forced vital capacity
RV: residual volume
TLC: total lung capacity
DL,CO: diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide
#: normal range <400 IU·mL−1
Group A patients had normal FEV1 and FEV1/FVC after BD inhalation
In group B patients, FEV1 or FEV1/FVC remained abnormal after BD inhalation
*: p<0.05 versus group A
**: p<0.01 versus group A