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Table 1 Characteristics of children and adolescents with severe asthma (N = 65), at enrollment in the study and over the course of the follow-up period

From: Lung function in severe pediatric asthma: a longitudinal study in children and adolescents in Brazil

Variable

At enrollment

At the end of follow-up

Female gender, n (%)

41 (63.0)

41 (63.0)

Age (years)a

10.4 (7.8; 13.6)

13.5 (8.7; 16.1)

BMI

0.31 (− 0.64; 0.88)

− 0.01 (− 0.65; 1.05)

Z-score > 3

0

1.0 (1.67)

Time followed by a pediatric pulmonologist (years)a

6.1 (4.3; 9.3)

Age of onset symptoms (years)

0.6 (1.3; 0.3)

Duration of disease (years)a

9.8 (6.1; 12.6)

Duration of ICS treatment (years)a

7.0 (4.6; 9.7)

Severe exacerbations in the last 12 months, n (%)

61 (94)

19 (29.2)

History of ICU admission due to asthma, n (%)

13 (20)

0

Asthma Control Test scorea

15.5 (12.0; 20.0)

22.0 (19.0; 24.0)

Treatment adherence, %a

92.0 (75; 100)

93.2 (80; 100)

Inhaler technique, n (%)

49 (75.4)

52 (80.0)

Lung function, n (%)

 FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio ≥ 80% of predicted

32 (49.2)

52 (80.0)

 FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio < 80% of predicted

33 (50.8)

13 (20.0)

 FEF25–75% < 70% of predicted

32 (49.2)

22 (44.4)

 FEF25–75% < 30% of predicted

1 (1.5)

1 (1.5)

Medication(s) used

 Dose of ICS (µg/day)a,b

800.0 (800.0; 1600.0)

876.1 (800.0; 2400.0)

 Long-acting β2 agonist, n (%)

65 (100)

65 (100.0)

 Leukotriene receptor antagonist, n (%)

11 (16.9)

40 (61.5)

 Oral corticosteroid (continuous use), n (%)

8 (12.3)

6 (9.2)

 Omalizumab, n (%)

0

6 (7.8)

Comorbidities

 Allergic rhinitis, n (%)

62.0 (95.4)

62.0 (95.4)

 Allergic rhinitis scorea

9.5 (5.3; 12.8)

6.0 (3.0; 10.0)

 Gastroesophageal reflux disease, n (%)

9.0 (13.9)

9.0 (13.9)

 Psychosocial problems, n (%)

10.0 (15.4)

15.0 (23.4)

Reported passive smoking in the home, n (%)

26.0 (40.0)

0

Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (ppb)

22.5 (10.0; 43.3)

13.5 (4.3; 36.5)

Serum IgE (IU/mL)a

821.0 (299.0; 1441.0)

Serum IgE of 30–1500 IU/mL, n (%)

10 (15.4)

Positive skin prick test result, n (%)

62 (95.4)

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, n (%)

51 (78.5)

Dermatophagoides farinae, n (%)

43 (66.2)

Blomia tropicalis, n (%)

49 (75.4)

Periplaneta americana, n (%)

13 (20.3)

Cat dander, n (%)

7 (10.8)

Blattella germanica, n (%)

12 (18.5)

Dog dander, n (%)

10 (15.4)

Interval between spirometry tests (months)a

 Cohort as a whole

3.03 (1.87; 3.97)

 > 800 µg/day subgroup

2.57 (1.63; 4.20)

  1. ICU intensive care unit
  2. aMedian (interquartile range)
  3. bBudesonide or equivalent