Heparin-binding protein in sputum as a marker of pulmonary inflammation, lung function, and bacterial load in children with cystic fibrosis

Table 1 Patient characteristics

Median age (IQR)^a	9 (8–11)
Male gender; % (n)	71 (12)
CFTR mutation; % (n)
- ΔF508/ΔF508	59 (10)
- Others	41 (7)
Pancreas insufficiency; % (n)	100 (17)
No of samples/patient; median (IQR)	2 (2–3)
Induced sputum; % (n)	83 (34)
Pseudomonas colonization^b; % (n)
- Never infected	24 (4)
- Free of infection	6 (1)
- Intermittent infection	53 (9)
- Chronic infection	18 (3)
Sputum culture growth; % (n)
- Staphylococcus aureus	34 (12)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa	26 (10)
- Haemophilus influenzae	14 (5)
- Burkholderia cepacia	6 (2)
- Negative culture	6 (2)

^aIQR = Interquartile range
^bPseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) colonization according to Leeds criteria: Never infected, Free of infection (no PA growth during the previous 12 months), Intermittent infection (PA growth in 50% or less of cultures), or Chronic infection (PA growth in > 50% of cultures)

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