Detection of pathogens by real-time PCR in adult patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Table 1 Characteristics of the patients (n = 64)

	N (%)
Mean age, yr. ± SD (range)	55.1 ± 18.1 (21–92)
Male	23 (35.9)
Onset of asthma
Paediatric	23 (35.9)
Adult	41 (64.1)
Smoking history
Never smoker	39 (60.9)
Current or previous smoker	25 (39.1)
Influenza vaccination, yes	20 (31.5)
Underlying disease
Sinusitis	8 (12.5)
Allergic rhinitis	3 (4.7)
COPD	6 (9.4)
GERD	5 (7.8)
DM	6 (9.4)
Mean serum total IgE (IU/ml) ± SD (range)^a	463.9 ± 976 (0–4980)
FEV_1.0 < 70%^b	14 (35.0)
Regular use of ICS^c	45 (90.0)
Median treatment step, (range)	2 (1–4)
Frequency of exacerbations, number/yr. (range)	1.48 (1–5)
Severity of attack^d
Mild	28 (43.8)
Moderate	18 (28.1)
Severe	18 (28.1)
Hospitalisation	15 (23.4)

Data are presented as the number (percentage) of patients
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DM, diabetes mellitus; FEV_1.0, forced expiratory volume1.0 (sec); GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids
^aTotal number of patients with a measured IgE value: 36
^bTotal number of patients with a pulmonary function test: 40
^cTotal number of patients regularly treated with ICS: 50
^dSeverity of attack was defined according to the 2012 GINA guideline [1]

ISSN: 1471-2466