Table 3

Differences between readmitted and non-readmitted patients within 28 days

28-day readmissionNon-readmitted at 28 days
N=27N=93p Value
Age (years)75 (9)68 (9)0.001
MRC dyspnoea grade5 (4–5)4 (3–5)0.013
Admission frequency (/12 months)1 (1–3)0 (0–2)0.006
Admission haemoglobin (g/dL)13.1 (1.8)14.0 (1.7)0.017
ΔEMGpara%max (%)+1.5 (8.4)−2.4 (7.2)0.018
ΔNRDI (/min)+28 (217)−64 (189)0.032
ΔModified Borg scale−2 (−2.5 to −2)−1 (−3 to −1)0.58
ΔCAT−7 (−12 to 0)−5 (−9 to 0)0.30
ΔRespiratory rate (/min)−3.2 (5.3)−2.6 (4.0)0.50
  • Values are expressed as mean (SD) or median (IQR).

  • CAT, COPD Assessment Test; EMGpara%max, 1 min mean magnitude of rectified inspiratory parasternal EMG activity normalised to a maximal manoeuvre; MRC, Medical Research Council; NRDI, Neural Respiratory Drive Index.