Treg cells at remission of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) after treatment with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants, with or without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
| Factor | EGPA Patients with IVIG, n = 22 | EGPA Patients without IVIG, n = 24 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Period of assay from onset, yrs, mean ± SD | 9.4 ± 5.6 | 8.3 ± 7.5 | NS† |
| WBC (cells/μl), mean ± SD | 6673.5 ± 1799.4# | 7702.4 ± 2566.3# | NS† |
| Blood eosinophils (cells/μl) | 185.9 ± 123.0# | 265.9 ± 210.6# | NS† |
| CD25+ among CD4+ T cells (%), mean ± SD | 65.7 ± 9.1# | 59.9 ± 8.9# | 0.04†† |
| IL-10 produced by CD25+CD4+ T cells (%) | 4.5 ± 4.0# | 2.3 ± 3.1# | NS†† |
| FOXP3+ among CD4+ T cells (%) | 5.4 ± 7.2# | 4.1 ± 1.8# | 0.04†† |
| Treatment at assay in remission state | |||
| PSL, mg | 4.8 ± 2.3 | 6.4 ± 2.4 | 0.03† |
| Patients taking immunosuppressant (%) | 31.8 | 33.3 | NS* |
| Cumulative organ involvement**, n, mean ± SD | 1.2 ± 0.8 | 1.0 ± 0.8 | NS† |
Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
↵† 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures among 2 groups.
↵†† Statistical comparisons carried out using the Mann-Whitney U test among 2 groups.
↵# p < 0.01 with statistical comparisons by paired T test in the same patients at onset and at remission.
↵* Chi-square testing revealed no significant differences in the frequencies of 2 groups.
↵** Cumulative organ involvement excluding asthma and sinusitis. NS: not significant; WBC: white blood cells; PSL: prednisolone.