Phosphodiesterase Type 4D Gene Polymorphism: Association with the Response to Short-Acting Bronchodilators in Paediatric Asthma Patients

Table 2

Patients’ characteristics.

Characteristic*	Total (𝑛=133)	Total (𝑛=93)
Age, years	9.8 (±0.3)	10.3 (±0.3)
Males, n (%)	73 (54.9)	55 (59.1)
Females, n (%)	60 (45.1)	38 (40.9)
Atopy**, n (%)	100 (75.2)	73 (78.5)
Parental smoking, n (%)	36 (27.1)	27 (29.0)
Regular ICS use, n (%)	68 (51.1)	48 (51.6)
Leukotriene modifier use, n (%)	28 (21.1)	21 (22.6)
Baseline FVC, % predicted	106.8 (±1.1)	108.6 (±1.3)
Baseline FEV1, % predicted	96.9 (±1.2)	94.0 (±1.2)
Baseline FEV1/FVC ratio	84.5 (±0.8)	80.5 (±0.7)

*Patients’ characteristics are given as number (%) or mean ± SE for entire group of patients (n = 133) or for patients with FEV₁/FVC ratio below 90% (n = 93) to which the genotype analysis was restricted to; **presence of physician-diagnosed eczema, food-specific IgE, and/or positive skin test for 1 or more aeroallergens or food allergens [30]; ICS: inhaled corticosteroids, FVC: forced vital capacity, FEV₁: forced expiratory volume in one second.