Comparison of baseline characteristics in the Hochuekkito and control groups.

Data are expressed as the number of patients or median (with observed range: minimum, maximum). All p values are for comparisons between the two groups and were obtained by Fisher's exact test, Pearson's test, or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate.BMI = body mass index; CRP = C-reactive protein; ESR = erythrocyte segmentation rate; CAT = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test.*Semi-quantitative scoring system: 0 (no colonies), 1 (1–9 colonies), 2 (10–49 colonies), 3 (50–99 colonies), 4 (100–199 colonies), 5 (200–299 colonies), 6 (300–399 colonies), 7 (400–499 colonies), and 8 (≥500 colonies).†Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score ranging from 0 to 40. A higher score means more severe symptoms [11].