Table 1

Summary statistics for respiratory data October 1995–October 1997

	n	Mean (SD) or %	Median	Minimum	Maximum
Male sex	94	72%
Age (years)	94	67.5 (8.2)	68.2	40	83
PEF (l/min)	94	224 (79)	220	60	453
FEV₁ (ml)	28	967 (363)	880	355	1731
FVC (ml)	28	1952 (762)	2010	690	3782
Reversibility	91	6.5 (10.2)	5.3	-31	37
Mean no. of large PEF decrements^*	94	14 (26)	2.5	0	122
Mean no. of exacerbations	94	3.1 (3.2)	2	0	16
Mean no. of symptomatic falls in PEF^†	94	3.7 (3.7)	2.5	0	16
Mean no. of episodes of dyspnoea^‡	94	5.7 (5.4)	3.5	0	20
Mean no. of episodes of change in sputum^§	94	2.9 (3.4)	2	0	17
Mean no. of episodes of nasal discharge/congestion	94	2.9 (3.6)	2	0	19
Mean no. of episodes of wheeze^¶	94	3.8 (4.5)	2	0	18
Mean no. of episodes of URS^**	94	2.7 (3.0)	2	0	14

↵* Large PEF decrements: PEF <20% × median value.
↵† Symptomatic fall in PEFs: defined as fall in PEF 10 l/min for ≥2 days + increase in breathlessness.
↵‡ Dyspnoea: defined as an increase in symptom.
↵§ Sputum changes: defined as a change in sputum purulence or amount.
↵¶ Wheeze: defined as an increase in wheeze or increase in tightness of chest.
↵** URS: upper respiratory symptoms—increase in sore throat or cough.
FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity; PEF, peak expiratory flow.