Baseline comparisons: nonresponders versus responders using change (Δ) in annual exacerbation frequency
| Nonresponders (ΔExacerbations <50%) | Responders (ΔExacerbations ≥50%) | p-value | |
| Patients | 10 | 30 | |
| ΔExacerbations at 12 months | −1 (2) | −4 (5) | |
| Baseline characteristics | |||
| Age (years) | 51.2±16.4 | 59.0±12.2 | 0.120 |
| Male/female | 3/7 | 16/14 | 0.200 |
| BMI (kg·m−2) | 30.9±8.4 | 31.7±7.4 | 0.778 |
| Smoking history (pack-years) | 0 (4) | 0 (10) | 0.406 |
| ACQ | 3.6±0.9 | 3.4±1.0 | 0.499 |
| SABA (puffs·day−1) | 10.5 (16.5) | 9 (14) | 0.288 |
| Prednisolone dose (mg·day−1) | 17.5 (25) | 5 (10) | 0.143 |
| Exacerbations (per annum) | 5 (8) | 4 (6) | 0.623 |
| FEV1 (% pred) | 52.9±10.8 | 48.3±17.7 | 0.440 |
| TLC (% pred) | 98.7±15.2 | 105±18 | 0.331 |
| RV (% pred) | 135±35 | 152±43 | 0.261 |
| RV/TLC (%) | 48±10 | 52±11 | 0.230 |
Data are presented as n, mean±sd or median (interquartile range), unless otherwise stated. BMI: body mass index; ACQ: Asthma Control Questionnaire; SABA: short-acting β-agonist; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; TLC: total lung capacity; RV: residual volume.