Table 1

Baseline characteristics of patients with COPD

UC (N=30)PEPR (N=30)
Age (years)65 (10)67 (10)
Sex (M:F)14:1613:17
Recruitment site (1:2:3)16:13:118:9:3
Median (IQR) admission length (days)5 (4–8)6 (4–8)
Median (IQR) no of admissions in previous year1 (0–3)1 (0–2)
Median (IQR) smoking pack-years40 (23–57)44 (30–61)
Smoking status (active:prior)10:2011:19
FEV1 (l)1.3 (0.6)1.2 (0.4)
FEV1 (%predicted)52 (22)52 (20)
Sao2 (%)95 (3)94 (2)
MRC dyspnoea score (range 1–5)3.2 (0.7)3.6 (0.8)
BMI (kg/m2)28.7 (7.8)29.1 (9.1)
FFMI (kg/m2)17.6 (3.0)18.1 (3.2)
ISW (m)159 (93)147 (89)
QMVC (kg)24.6 (13.2)22.0 (6.8)
SGRQ total score (aU)59.0 (16.1)61.9 (17.2)
  • Data shown are mean (SD) unless otherwise indicated.

  • Three UK sites participated: (1) King's College Hospital, (2) St Thomas' Hospital and (3) Basildon Hospital.

  • BMI, body mass index; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FFMI, fat-free mass index; ISW, incremental walking capacity; PEPR, post-exacerbation pulmonary rehabilitation; QMVC, quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction; Sao2, arterial oxygen saturation; SGRQ, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire; UC, usual care.