Table 4

Comparison of characteristics, functional markers and biomarkers between patients in the hospitalisation+ and in the hospitalisation− groups when confined to the history of hospitalisation

Hospitalisation− (n=26)Hospitalisation+ (n=8)P value
Age75 (8.2)71 (3.6)0.046
Body mass index, kg/m221.2 (3.1)19.9 (4.7)0.5
Sex, male22 (85)7 (87.5)>0.99
Smoking, ex/current22 (85)/4 (15)8 (100)/0 (0)0.55
Pack-years63 (31.3)65 (24.9)0.79
GOLD classification, A/B/C/D3 (11.5)/4 (15.4)/
5 (19.2)/14 (53.9)
0 (0)/1 (12.5)/
1 (12.5)/6 (75.0)
0.52
COPD stage 1/2/3/42 (7.7)/15 (57.7)/
8 (30.8)/1 (3.9)
0 (0)/4 (50)/
1 (12.5)/3 (37.5)
0.08
Asthma, +6 (20.7)2 (25.0)0.37
Cerebrovascular disease, +3 (11.5)0 (0)>0.99
Pneumonia <2 year, +15 (57.7)3 (37.5)0.43
Acute exacerbation <2 year, +11 (42.3)5 (62.5)0.43
Hospitalisation <2 year, +19 (73.1)8 (100)0.16
mMRC scale, grade2.0 (1.0)2.8 (1.4)0.17
CAT, point14.0 (9.2)18.3 (8.0)0.22
LCQ, point17.9 (2.8)18.3 (2.2)0.64
Neutrophils, /µL3908 (1443)3552 (2014)0.65
Eosinophils, /µL197 (113)373 (318)0.17
Eosinophils ≥300/ µL, +3 (11.5)4 (50)0.037
Albumin, g/dL4.0 (0.3)3.8 (0.5)0.22
Lactate dehydrogenase, IU/L202 (33)198 (52)0.84
Haemoglobin A1c, %6.0 (0.6)5.8 (0.6)0.45
Brain natriuretic peptide, pg/mL78 (120)136 (143)0.32
C reactive protein, mg/L*0.31 (0.47)0.49 (0.89)0.59
IgE, IU/L346 (634)360 (475)0.95
FeNO, ppb23.0 (13.5)33.7 (22.0)0.23
C2, the number of doubling concentration3.8 (2.3)6.6 (2.7)0.023
C5, the number of doubling concentration4.6 (2.2)7.5 (2.3)0.009
Ejection fraction, %*62 (9)62 (15)0.9
Postbronchodilator FEV1, mL1432 (481)1001 (550)0.073
Postbronchodilator FEV1 predicted, %58.3 (16.5)41.5 (19.7)0.054
Postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC, %48.1 (10.6)39.3 (16.2)0.19
Reversibility, %5.7 (7.8)3.9 (5.9)0.51
  • Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease.

  • The number of doubling concentration was shown as follows; for example, 0.61 µM, 1.22 µM, 2.44 µM, 4.88 µM, 9.76 µM, 19.52 µM, 39.04 µM, 78.1 µM, 156.2 µM and 312.5 µM correspond to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, in order. *n=66, †n=64.

  • C2 and C5, concentrations of inhaled capsaicin required to induce at least two (C2) and five coughs (C5); CAT, COPD assessment test; FeNO, fractional nitric oxide; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity; Ig, immunoglobulin; LCQ, Leicester Cough Questionnaire; mMRC, modified Medical Research Council.