Table 1 Demographic features of 17 participants in whom we measured serum prednisolone levels. (Proportions are reported as absolute values and percentages, and compared using a two-sample test of proportions, while point estimates are reported as medians with interquartile ranges, and compared using Wilcoxon’s test)
From: Serum prednisolone levels as a marker of oral corticosteroid adherence in severe asthma
Demographic | Non-adherent N = 3 | Adherent N = 14 | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
Sex (M) | 1 (33%) | 7 (50%) | 0.60 |
Age (years) | 52 [46,66] | 63.5 [50,70] | 0.49 |
Prednisolone dose (mg/day) | 10 [5, 25] | 6.25 [5,10] | 0.35 |
Inhaled Corticosteroid Dose (Fluticasone Propionate equivalents in mcg) | 1500 [1000,2000] | 1000 [1000,1500] | 0.30 |
Number of medications prescribed for asthma | 7 [4, 7] | 7 [6, 8] | 0.56 |
BMI (kg/m2) | 27 [16,44] | 31 [27,34] | 0.61 |
Severe Exacerbations (/year) | 6 [2,10] | 4 [2,6] | 0.67 |
ACQ-6 Score | 2.3 [1.3,2.8] | 2.4 [1.5,3.8] | 0.75 |
FEV1 (% predicted) | 104 [83,105] | 69 [41,83] | 0.06 |
FeNO (ppb) | 30 [13,225] | 19 [12,41] | 0.45 |
Sputum eosinophils, % | 1 [0.25,9.86] | 1.25 [0,10.25] | 0.80 |
Blood Eosinophils (cellsx109/L) | 0.2 [0,0.5] | 0.1 [0,0.116] | 0.37 |
Cortisol level (μmol/L) (mean and 95% confidence interval) | 155.2 (− 187,498) | 33.0 (14.3, 51.7) | 0.005 |
Self-reported Adherence | 100% [71.4, 100] | 100% [100,100] | 0.03 |
Ex-smokers | 1 (33%) | 4 (29%) | 0.87 |