Table 3 Multinomial logistic regression model showing the variables associated with the initial treatment decision.

Lung function

FEV < 50%

0.634 (0.32–1.25, p = 0.19)

1.001 (0.52–1.92, p = 0.999)

0.75 (0.38–1.49, p = 0.409)

1.574 (0.8–3.09, p = 0.188)

FEV ≥ 50%^a

Symptoms

Severe

0.307 (0.12–0.79, p = 0.014)

2.632 (1.09–6.34, p = 0.031)

1.221 (0.49–3.05, p = 0.669)

9.55 (3.98–24.88, p < 0.0001)

Moderate

0.489 (0.23–1.05, p = 0.067)

1.56 (0.75–3.26, p = 0.237)

0.686 (0.32–1.49, p = 0.34)

2.623 (1.19–5.78, p = 0.017)

Mild^a

Number of exacerbations in the last year

≥1 with hospitalisation

0.201 (0.08–048, p < 0.0001)

0.857 (0.38–1.94, p = 0.711)

2.564 (1.09–6.04, p = 0.031)

7.733 (3.26–18.34, p < 0.0001)

≥1 without hospitalisation

0.445 (0.19–1.02, p = 0.056)

0.941 (0.42–2.1, p = 0.881)

1.637 (0.7–3.82, p = 0.254)

4.126 (1.75–9.7, p = 0.001)

None^a

Blood eosinophil count

<100 eos/μl

0.816 (0.31–2.14, p = 0.679)

0.873 (0.34–2.21, p = 0.774)

0.516 (0.18–1.5, p = 0.224)

0.499 (0.19–1.34, p = 0.168)

100–300 eos/μl

1.344 (0.38–4.69, p = 0.643)

1.6 (0.47–5.43, p = 0.451)

3.017 (0.83–10.98, p = 0.094)

3.085 (0.88–10.8, p = 0.078)

≥300 eos/μl

0.185 (0.07–0.48, p = 0.001)

0.18 (0.07–0.45, p < 0.0001)

2.999 (1.15–7.8, p = 0.024)

1.468 (0.58–3.72, p = 0.418)

Unknown blood eosinophil count^a