Reference ranges for induced sputum eosinophil counts in Korean adult population
10.5415/apallergy.2014.4.3.149
- Author:
Mi Yeong KIM
1
;
Eun Jung JO
;
Seung Eun LEE
;
Suh Young LEE
;
Woo Jung SONG
;
Tae Wan KIM
;
Gyu Young HUR
;
Jae Hyung LEE
;
Tae Bum KIM
;
Heung Woo PARK
;
Yoon Seok CHANG
;
Hae Sim PARK
;
Kyung Up MIN
;
Sang Heon CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Eosinophils;
Sputum;
Healthy volunteers;
Reference values
- MeSH:
Adult;
Body Mass Index;
Eosinophilia;
Eosinophils;
Healthy Volunteers;
Humans;
Inflammation;
Nitric Oxide;
Reference Values;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Sputum
- From:
Asia Pacific Allergy
2014;4(3):149-155
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Induced sputum analyses are widely utilized to evaluate airway inflammation in asthmatics. However, the values have not been examined in Korean adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine reference ranges for induced sputum eosinophils and their influencing factors in Korean adults. METHODS: A total of 208 healthy nonasthmatic adults were recruited. Sputum induction and processing followed the international standard protocols. RESULTS: Adequate sputum samples were successfully collected from 81 subjects (38.9%). The upper 90 percentile for sputum eosinophil was calculated as 3.5%. The median value of eosinophil count percentage was significantly higher in subjects with atopy than those without atopy (median, 1.6%; range, 0-11.0% vs. median, 0%; range 0-3.6%, p=0.030). However, no significant correlations were found with age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, blood eosinophil, or fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels. CONCLUSION: Current study was the first attempt to determine the reference ranges of induced sputum eosinophils in Korean adults. The cutoff value for sputum eosinophilia was 3.5%, and was significantly associated with atopy.
