Demographic characteristics of patients.
| Characteristic | Number of patients (%) |
|---|---|
| Sex (n = 219) | |
| Male | 95 (43) |
| Female | 124 (57) |
| Age (years) (n = 218) | |
| <16 | 61 (28) |
| 16–30 | 48 (22) |
| >30 | 109 (50) |
| Ethnic origin (n = 208) | |
| Caucasian | 125 (60) |
| Other | 83 (40) |
| Current smokers (adult patients) (n = 157) | |
| Yes | 47 (30) |
| No | 110 (70) |
| Previous history of atopy (n = 219) | 117 (53) |
| Age (years) at the beginning of asthma (n = 194) | |
| <16 | 126 (65) |
| 16–30 | 25 (13) |
| >30 | 43 (22) |
| Duration (years) of asthma history (n = 194) | |
| <16 | 128 (66) |
| ≥16 | 66 (34) |
| Previous history of mechanical ventilation for asthma attacks (n = 214) | 12 (6) |
| Hospitalisation for asthma attacks during the past year (n = 218) | 38 (17) |
| >1 risk factor for near fatal asthmaa (n = 219) | 57 (26) |
↵aOne or more of the following factors: previous history of mechanical ventilation for near fatal asthma, hospital referral for near fatal asthma during the past year, aspirin or NSAID intolerance, use of oral corticosteroids.