Mean (SD) baseline physiological characteristics of the patients grouped by exacerbation frequency
| Exacerbation frequency | ||
|---|---|---|
| <2.58 per year | >2.58 per year | |
| Parameter | (n=14) | (n=14) |
| FEV1=forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC=forced vital capacity; Pao2, Paco2=arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions. | ||
| *Patients with infrequent exacerbations were significantly older (p=0.02). All other parameters were comparable between the two groups. | ||
| Age (years) | 69.4 (6.3) | 62.6 (8.2)* |
| FEV1 (l) | 1.11 (0.44) | 1.12 (0.38) |
| FEV1 (% pred) | 45.5 (18.2) | 36.8 (13.7) |
| FEV1/FVC (%) | 45.0 (11.6) | 43.0 (16.4) |
| Pao2 (kPa) | 8.79 (0.88) | 8.55 (0.92) |
| Paco2 (kPa) | 6.09 (0.63) | 6.2 (1.0) |
| Pack years of smoking | 42.3 (22.7) | 67.6 (52.7) |
| Daily inhaled steroid dosage (mg) | 1.19 (0.48) | 1.31 (0.77) |