| Total (n = 18928) | Oral corticosteroids (n = 9074) | Oral corticosteroids and antibiotics (n = 9854) | p Value‡ | |
| Gender | ||||
| Male | 9395 (50) | 4536 (50) | 4859 (49) | 0.35 |
| Female | 9533 (50) | 4538 (50) | 4995 (51) | |
| Age (years) | 70 (61–77) | 70 (61–77) | 70 (61–77) | 0.60 |
| No of respiratory dispensings in 2003 | 8 (4–13) | 8 (4–13)§ | 8 (4–13)§ | <0.01 |
| ICS (maintenance medication) | 16771 (89) | 7883 (87) | 8888 (90) | <0.01 |
| Co-medication | ||||
| Cardiovascular | 12995 (69) | 6245 (69) | 6750 (68) | 0.63 |
| Diabetes | 2682 (14) | 1264 (14) | 1418 (14) | 0.36 |
| Hospitalisation* for | ||||
| COPD† | 1925 (10) | 994 (11) | 931 (9) | <0.01 |
| Pneumonia | 651 (3) | 325 (4) | 326 (3) | 0.30 |
| Follow-up characteristics | ||||
| Follow-up time (days) | 754 (437–974) | 786 (472–988) | 739 (404–957) | |
| Number of exacerbations | 2 (1–4) | 2 (1–4) | 2 (1–3) |
Data are n (%) or median (interquartile range).
*Once or more in previous 2 years. †Diagnosis: chronic bronchitis, emphysema or COPD. ‡χ2 or Mann–Whitney test, where appropriate. §The oral corticosteroids and antibiotics group had a significantly higher number of respiratory dispensings, but the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles for both treatment groups were similar.
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids.