∆MEWS* | ∆RR | ∆SpO2 | ∆FEV1† | ∆EMGpara | ∆EMGpara%max | ∆NRDI | |
‘Deteriorators’ | 0.50 (0–1) | 4.5±6.0 | 1.2±2.4 | 0.03±0.18 | 7.8±4.9 | 6.2±4.3 | 226±58 |
‘Improvers’ | 0 (−2–1) | −1.8±3.8 | 0.9±2.7 | 0.06±0.14 | −1.7±5.5 | −3.5±8.1 | −113±221 |
Mean difference (95% CI) | 6.3 (−0.1 to 12.6) | −0.6 (−2.0 to 3.1) | 0.03 (−0.42 to 0.36) | 9.6 (4.4 to 14.8) | 9.6 (4.5 to 14.8) | 339 (234 to 444) | |
p Value | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.003 | 0.001 | <0.001 |
Data presented as mean±SD or *median (range).
↵† Seven patients were unable to perform spirometry on one or more occasions so analysis of FEV1 was performed on ‘improvers’ (n=20) and ‘deteriorators’ (n=3).
EMGpara%max, EMGpara during tidal breathing normalised for maximum EMGpara produced during a sniff manoeuvre; RR, respiratory rate; NRDI, neural respiratory drive index (RR × EMGpara%max); EMGpara, parasternal electromyogram activity; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; MEWS, medical early warning score.