A Longitudinal Study of a Selected Pediatric Asthmatic Population with Normal and Abnormal Spirometry at Baseline: An Emphasis on Treatment Outcomes

Figures & data

Figure 1 Study design and flow diagram.

Table 1 Spirometry Results of the Study Population (N = 203)

	N (%)
Airflow limitation parameters
FEV1 < 80% predicted	101	(49.8)
FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.9	152	(74.9)
FEV1 < 80% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.9	76	(37.4)
FEF25–75 of VC < 70% predicted	99	(48.8)
PEFR < 80% predicted	138	(68.0)
Airway hyper-reactivity parameters
FEV1 reversibility > 12%	21	(10.3)
PEFR reversibility > 12%	64	(31.5)
FEV1 or PEFR reversibility > 12%	73	(36.0)

Abbreviations: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity; FEF25–75 of VC, forced vital capacity expiratory flow at 25–75% vital capacity; PEFR, peak expiratory flow rate.

Table 2 Patient Characteristics According to Spirometry Results (N = 203)

	Total	Spirometry Result		P value
	N = 203 (%)	Abnormal	Normal
		N = 118 (%)	N = 85 (%)
Male	129 (65.5)	72 (62.6)	57 (69.5)	0.39
Obesity (BMI SDS > 2+ or BMI ≥ 25)	18 (8.9)	12 (10.2)	6 (7.1)	0.86
Age at spirometry (years; mean, SD)	10.9 (2.6)	10.9 (2.6)	10.9 (2.5)	0.93
Age of wheezing onset (years; median, IQR)	3.0 (2,6)	3.1 (2,6)	3.0 (2,5)	0.87
Current controller use	169 (83.3)	96 (81.4)	73 (85.9)	0.51
Asthma medication*				0.13
GINA step 1–2	107 (52.7)	68 (57.6)	39 (45.8)
GINA step ≥ 3	96 (47.3)	50 (42.3)	46 (54.1)
Atopic status
Physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis	60 (29.6)	34 (28.8)	26 (30.6)	0.91
Physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis	169 (83.3)	99 (83.9)	70 (82.4)	0.92
Allergen sensitization	101 (49.8)	58 (49.2)	43 (50.6)	0.95
Parental asthma	14 (6.9)	9 (7.6)	5 (5.9)	0.84

Note: *Asthma medication according to the Global Initiative for Asthma 2022 guidelines.²

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; SDS, standard deviation score; SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range; GINA, the Global Initiative for Asthma.

Table 3 Asthma Control Status and Spirometry Results (N = 203)

Asthma Control Status	Spirometry Result		P value
	Abnormal	Normal
	N =118 (%)	N = 85 (%)
At the time of spirometry
Symptom control in previous 3 months	107 (90.7)	77 (90.6)	1.00
Emergency visit in the previous year	49 (41.5)	27 (31.8)	0.20
Hospitalization in the previous year	15 (12.7)	8 (9.4)	0.61
Intensive care admission in the previous year	1 (0.8)	0 (0.0)	1.00
At 3 months post-spirometry
Symptom control	109 (92.4)	78 (91.8)	1.00
Emergency visit	3 (2.5)	1 (1.2)	0.64
Systemic steroid use	4 (3.4)	1 (1.2)	0.40
Hospitalization	2 (1.7)	1 (1.2)	1.00
At 6 months post-spirometry
Symptom control	115 (97.5)	81 (95.3)	0.46
Emergency visit	2 (1.7)	0 (0.0)	0.51
Systemic steroid use	2 (1.7)	0 (0.0)	0.51
At 12 months post-spirometry
Symptom control	108 (95.6)	79 (98.8)	0.40
Emergency visit	1 (0.9)	1 (1.2)	1.00
Systemic steroid use	0 (0.0)	1 (1.2)	0.42

Figure 2 Physician decision on treatment according to spirometry results and outcomes.

Global initiative for asthma. Pocket guide for asthma management and prevention. Available from: https://ginasthma.org/pocket-guide-for-asthma-management-and-prevention/. Accessed March 20, 2023.

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