Table 4 EBC pH values according to DLCO (%pred.) quartiles in our study population
From: Exhaled breath condensate pH as a biomarker of COPD severity in ex-smokers
| Â | Â | 1stQuartile | 2ndQuartile | 3rdQuartile | 4thQuartile | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COPD all | DL CO | ≤45.2 | 45.2-60.0 | 60.0-72.0 | >72.0 |  |
|  | EBC pH | 7.08 (6.76, 7.50) | 7.09 (6.69, 7.24) | 7.30(7.13, 7.69) ‡ | 7.28 (7.13, 7.28) | 0.006 |
COPD ex-smokers | DL CO | ≤35.8 | 35.8-54 | 54-70.2 | >70.2 |  |
|  | EBC pH | 7.04 (6.07, 7.38) | 7.08 (6.79, 7.24) | 7.19 (7.03, 7.32) | 7.37 (7.19, 7.86)†| 0.004 |
COPD current smokers | DL CO | ≤53.8 | 53.8-67.3 | 67.3-72.8 | >72.8 |  |
| Â | EBC pH | 7.21 (6.71, 7.76) | 7.25 (7.09, 7.86) | 7.23 (7.11, 7.69) | 7.25 (7.10, 7.34) | 0.82 |