Table 1 Clinical features. COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC: forced vital capacity; Pack-yr = 1 year smoking 20 cigarettes-day. Data are mean ± SD. *P < 0.05 related to Healthy subjects
|  | Healthy (n = 37) | Stable COPD (n = 52) | Exacerbated COPD (n = 16) |
|---|---|---|---|
Age, yr | 66.1 ± 6 | 65.1 ± 14 | 63.8 ± 8.4 |
Sex (M/F) | 27/10 | 35/17 | 12/4 |
Tobacco consumption, pack-yr | 0 | 35.2 ± 6* | 42.3 ± 13* |
FEV1, % pred | 98 ± 3 | 53.2 ± 3* | 38.0 ± 13* |
FVC, % pred | 96 ± 4 | 90.2 ± 6 | 89.5 ± 8 |
FEV1/FVC % | 98 ± 3 | 50.1 ± 6* | 46.2 ± 9* |
GOLD 1 (mild) patients, no. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GOLD 2 (moderate) patients, no. | 0 | 36 | 3 |
GOLD 3 (severe) patients, no. | 0 | 16 | 10 |
GOLD 4 (very severe) patients, no. | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving inhaled steroids, no. | 0 | 26 | 16 |
Receiving theophyllines, no. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving long-acting b2-agonist, no. | 0 | 49 | 16 |
Receiving anticholinergics, no. | 0 | 41 | 13 |
Total peripheral blood neutrophils | 4.2 ± 0.3 x 109/L | 8.2 ± 1.3 x 109/L* | 9.9 ± 0.2 x 109/L* |