Table 1 Baseline data on the intervention and control groups
|  | Intervention group N = 13 | Control group N = 12 | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
Age (years) at time of study entry; mean ± SD | 47.8 ± 11.0 | 46.5 ± 16.1 | NS1 |
Sex (M/F) | 5/8 | 4/8 | NS2 |
Atopic rhinitis (yes/no) | 9/4 | 9/3 | NS2 |
Atopic conjunctivitis (yes/no) | 7/6 | 10/2 | NS2 |
Atopic dermatitis (yes/no) | 4/9 | 5/7 | NS2 |
Age at onset of asthma (years); mean ± SD | 23.4 ± 19.7 | 35.5 ± 17.0 | NS1 |
Duration of asthma (from time of onset to time of study entry) (years) | 25.2 ± 19.9 | 12.3 ± 13.7 | NS1 |
Step 1/2/3/4 asthma severity* | 0/2/4/7 | 0/3/5/4 | NS2 |
Daily dose of ICS (μg; converted to CFC-BDP equivalents) | 753.8 ± 489.2 | 566.7 ± 302.5 | NS1 |
Use of LABA; n (%) | 8 (61.5) | 7 (58.3) | NS2 |
Use of LTRA; n (%) | 6 (46.2) | 5 (41.7) | NS2 |
Use of LAMA; n (%) | 2 (15.4) | 2 (16.7) | NS2 |
Use of theophylline; n (%) | 6 (46.2) | 6 (50.0) | NS2 |