Patient characteristics.
| Characteristic | EGPA Patients with IVIG, n = 22 | EGPA Patients without IVIG, n = 24 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yrs, mean ± SD | 65.3 ± 12.7 | 58.4 ± 15.0 | NS† |
| Sex (M/F) | 5/17 | 7/17 | NS* |
| Age at onset of asthma, yrs, mean ± SD | 47.9 ± 14.6 | 41.3 ± 16.9 | NS† |
| Age at onset of EGPA, yrs, mean ± SD | 55.8 ± 14.8 | 49.8 ± 15.1 | NS† |
| Type: atopy/nonatopy | 5/17 | 11/13 | NS* |
| Step 1/2/3/4 at severity of asthma | 1/0/4/17 | 2/4/3/15 | NS* |
| At onset EGPA | |||
| WBC (cells/μl), mean ± SD | 15,794.1 ± 6512.9 | 12,793.9 ± 5320.9 | NS† |
| Blood eosinophils (cells/μl), mean ± SD | 9305.6 ± 6025.8 | 6014.6 ± 5096.4 | NS† |
| MPO-ANCA (%) | 27.3 | 17.4 | NS* |
| PR3-ANCA (%) | 0 | 0 | NS* |
| CD25+ among CD4+ T cells (%), mean ± SD | 33.9 ± 10.2, n = 17 | 42.6 ± 16.6, n = 14 | 0.02†† |
| FOXP3+ among CD4+ T cells (%), mean ± SD | 1.6 ± 0.7, n = 6 | 2.4 ± 0.8, n = 9 | 0.05†† |
| IL-10 produced by CD25+ CD4+ T cells (%), mean ± SD | 0.5 ± 1.3, n = 6 | 0.0 ± 0.0, n = 9 | NS†† |
Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant.
↵† 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures among 2 groups.
↵†† Statistical comparisons carried out using the Mann-Whitney U test among 2 groups.
↵* Chi-square testing revealed no significant differences in the frequencies of 2 groups. EGPA: eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; IVIG: intravenous immunoglobulin; NS: not significant; WBC: white blood cells; MPO-ANCA: myeloperoxidase-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies; PR3: proteinase 3.