Univariate associations with exacerbation frequency groups during the year following fibreoptic bronchoscopy
Using univariate multinomial logistic regression, we identified the different parameters significantly associated with the different groups of patients. An early age at the first episode of wheezing, a decreased RBM-BSM distance, an increased BSM area and an increased RBM thickness were predictors of “High-Ex” (Table 3). The presence of atopic dermatitis (past history or current) and a low density of lymphocytes in the BALF were also predictors of “High-Ex” compared with “Low-Ex” and “No-Ex”, respectively (Table 3). BAL neutrophilia (decreased percentage of macrophages and increased percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN)) and the presence of the Haemophilus genus in the BALF were predictors of “Low-Ex”. The absence of bacteria in the BALF and the absence of Haemophilus genus in the BALF were predictors of “No-Ex” membership (Table 3). Furthermore, the absence of hospitalizations within the year prior the bronchoscopy, the absence of antibiotic treatment after fibreoptic bronchoscopy, the absence ofHaemophilus influenzae and parainfluenza ,Streptococcus genus or Streptococcus pneumoniae in the BALF were also predictors of “No-Ex” membership compared to “Low-Ex” only (Table 3). All other parameters were not significantly associated with any group membership (Table E2).