Table 1 Subjects’ characteristics at baseline

Age (years, range)

72.9 ± 4.9, 66–82

Sex (F/M)

16/9

BMI

26.7 ± 5.6

Atopy

20/25

Duration of asthma (years)

35.7 ± 24.8

Rhinitis

18/25

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

9/25

Inhaled steroids (dose, range)

22/25 (388 ± 324, 0–1,000 mcg/day)

Long –acting bronchodilators

18/25

Anti-cholinergic agents (tiotropium)

5/25

Theophylline

1/25

ACT score

22.9 ± 2.1

Daily asthma symptom score

0.3 ± 0.6

Number of puffs of albuterol per week

0.8 ± 1.8

FEV1%

81.2 ± 15.8

FEV1/FVC

0.74 ± 0.1

FEF25-75%

78.2 ± 31.5

Peripheral blood eosinophils (K/μL)

0.38 ± 0.25

Total serum IgE (IU/ml)

182 ± 249