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).