Table 1.
Subject characteristics.
| Younger | Older | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years, range given)* | 26.7 (20–38) | 62.9 (57–75) |
| FEV1 (L)* | 3.22 (2.89–3.38) | 2.18 (1.97–2.33) |
| FEV1 % Predicted | 80.0 (68.0–91.5) | 76.0 (66.3–86.7) |
| FVC (L)* | 4.37 (+/− 0.79) | 3.22 (+/− 0.85) |
| FVC % Predicted | 92.6 (+/− 9.6) | 86.2 (+/− 10.5) |
| Methacholine PC20 (mg/mL)# | 0.98 (0.30–2.57) | 0.42 (0.35–1.16) |
| % Reversibility with Albuterol | 14.8 (+/− 12) | 11.5 (+/− 8) |
| WBC (cells/nL) | 5.2 (4.5–5.7) | 4.8 (4.0–6.3) |
| Absolute Eosinophil Count (cells/μL) | 158 (123–299) | 123 (84–273) |
| Total IgE (ng/mL)≠ | 226 (85–323) | 99 (47–254) |
| Positive Skin Prick Allergy Testing§ | 15/15 | 13/14 |
| Inhaled Corticosteroid Use | 4/15 | 9/14 |
Mean values (+/− standard deviation), median values (25%–75% interval),
*
statistically significant difference in the two groups (p < 0.05),
#
values from three subjects were excluded only from the analysis of the methacholine PC20 due to values > 25mg/mL (1 in the younger group, 2 in the older group),
≠
median total IgE levels expressed in international units were 94 IU/mL and 41 IU/mL for the younger and older groups, respectively,
§
indicates at least one positive test for grass, mold, ragweed, tree, cat, dog, or dust mite.