Management of the acute attack
| Cases (SLTA) (n=77) | Matched hospital controls (n=239) | |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation and management of index attack | ||
| First “port of call” | ||
| GP | 29% | 51%4-160 |
| Emergency department | 42% | 40%4-160 |
| Ambulance | 30% | 9%4-160 |
| Arterial blood gases | ||
| pH | 7.17 (0.15) | 7.41 (0.62)4-165 4-151 |
| (n=75) | (n=148) | |
| Pco 2 (kPa) | 10.65 (4.98) | 4.79 (0.98)4-160 4-151 |
| Impaired conscious level at presentation | 69% | 0%4-165 4-151 |
| Mechanical ventilation | 23% | 0%4-165 4-151 |
| Days in ICU | 1.0 (3.1) | 04-160 4-151 |
| Days in hospital | 4.8 (3.1) | 3.3 (2.3) |
| Difficulties in management of index attack | ||
| Home alone | 10% | 13% |
| Lack of telephone | 1% | 3% |
| Lack of car | 4% | 10% |
| Unable to contact GP | 3% | 3% |
| Unable to contact ambulance | 0% | 4% |
| Concern about cost | 12% | 15% |
| Lack of medications | 16% | 11% |
| Lack of knowledge | 14% | 16% |
| Bad advice | 0% | 3% |
| Panic | 48% | 33%4-150 |
| Concern about time off work | 21% | 31%4-152 |
| Other | 35% | 26% |