Table 1.

Entry characteristics of patients randomised to clarithromycin or placebo. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise

Entry variables	Clarithromycin (n=2172)	Placebo (n=2200)
Mean (SD) age (years)	65.4 (10.3)	65.2 (10.4)
Male	1514 (69.7)	1519 (69.1)
Previous myocardial infarction	1470 (67.7)	1494 (67.9)
Diabetes	341 (15.7)	337 (15.3)*
Hypertension	878 (40.4)	883 (40.2)*
Smoking status:
Smoker	819 (37.7)	753 (34.2)
Ex-smoker	981 (45.2)	1012 (46.0)
Never smoked	372 (17.1)	435 (19.8)
Drugs
Aspirin	1902 (87.6)	1937 (88.0)
Statin	896 (41.3)	904 (41.1)
Calcium antagonist	755 (34.8)	772 (35.1)
β blocker	653 (30.1)	681 (31.0)
ACE inhibitor	604 (27.8)	577 (26.2)
Long acting nitrate	453 (20.9)	457 (20.8)
Digoxin	154 (7.1)	126 (5.7)
Antiarrhythmic	55 (2.5)	51 (2.3)
Diuretic	773 (35.6)	762 (34.6)

ACE=angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.

^*Missing data for one placebo treated patient.