Objective　　　To investigate the clinical characteristics of different airway inflammatory phenotypes in patients with asthma.　　　 Methods　　　A total of 287 patients with asthma were recruited from the out-patient of Xinqiao Hospital from January 2011 to March 2012

and were divided into four groups according to different counts of sputum cells including an eosinophilic group (Eos group; 41.5%

119/287)

a neutrophilic group (Neu group; 27.5%

79/287)

a pauci-granulocytic group (Pau group; 11.1%

32/287) and a mixed granulocytic group (Mix group; 19.9%

57/287

). The medical records

demographic information

results of the induced sputum cytology and pulmonary function were analyzed retrospectively.　　　 Results　　　There were no significant difference in sex

onset age

smoking

atopy

duration of asthma

body mass index

ACT score and regular use of inhaled corticosteroids among the four groups (

P

0.05). However

the total inflammatory cell count in the Mix group was significantly higher than that in other groups (P0.01). In the Neu group and Mix group

there was significantly negative correlation between the neutrophil ratio in induced sputum and FEV1%pred in the patients with airflow limitation (FEV1%pred80%) (r=-0.386 6

P

=0.032).　　　 Conclusion　　　Though there are four inflammatory phenotypes of asthma

the clinical characteristics are not significantly different. The neutrophilic airway inflammation may play an important role in airway obstruction of asthma.