Change in outcomes after directly observed inhaled corticosteroid (DOICS) therapy depending on exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FENO) suppression status
| All patients | FENO suppressors (>42%) | Non-FENO suppressors (<42%) | p-value | |
| Patients | 44 | 19 | 25 | |
| Age years | 49.61 (44.36–55.03) | 42.4 (33.42–51.38) | 55.5 (49.84–61.16) | 0.03 |
| Male/female | 22/22 | 7/12 | 15/10 | 0.21 |
| Baseline FEV1 mL | 2.14 (1.88–2.40) | 2.24 (1.76–2.73) | 2.07 (1.76–2.37) | 0.70 |
| Baseline eosinophil count % | 0.59 (0.46–0.72) | 0.68 (0.44–0.92) | 0.52 (0.38–0.66) | 0.40 |
| Patients recommended for biologics post-DOICS | 52.3% | 21.1% | 72% | <0.01 |
| Patients taking a biologic at follow-up | 38.6% | 21.1% | 52% | 0.06 |
| Patients' (n=35) prescription pick-up rate >80% | 74.3% | 80% | 62.5% | 0.24 |
| Baseline exacerbation rates 1 year prior to DOICS | 6.37 (5.03–7.7) | 6.7 (4.6–8.8) | 6.05 (4.18–7.91) | 0.58 |
| Change in annual number of exacerbations after DOICS, adjusted to 1 year | −3.69 (−5.13– −2.24) | −4.0 (−6.56– −1.44) | −3.48 (−5.23– −1.73) | 0.67 |
| ACQ-7 score change | −0.24 (−0.48–0.01) | −0.4 (−0.88–0.08) | −0.12 (−0.38–0.150 | 0.08 |
| FEV1 change mL | 0.1 (−0.08–0.37) | 0.2 (−0.11–0.51) | −0.1 (−0.2–0.05) | 0.05 |
| FEV1 change % | 3.77 (−2.22–9.76) | 8.7 (−1.12–18.52) | −3.1 (−7.40–1.24) | 0.01 |
Data are presented as n or mean (95% CI) unless otherwise stated. FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; ACQ-7: seven-item Asthma Control Questionnaire.