Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of participants (n=48). Values are numbers (percentages) unless otherwise indicated
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Mean (SD) age in years | 76 (5) |
| Male sex | 35 (73) |
| Dominant aetiology of dyspnoea: | |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 42 (88) |
| Cancer | 3 (6) |
| Motor neurone disease | 1 (2) |
| Restrictive lung disease | 2 (4) |
| Receiving supplemental oxygen | 34 (71) |
| Mean (SD) litres per minute | 1.4 (1.2) |
| ECOG performance status score: | |
| 0=fully active | 0 (0) |
| 1=restricted in strenuous activity only | 14 (29) |
| 2=unable to work; up and about more than 50% of waking hours | 20 (42) |
| 3=confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours | 13 (27) |
| 4=completely disabled; totally confined to bed or chair | 1 (2) |
| Respiratory rate in breaths per minute (SD) | 20 (4) |
| Mean (SD) haemoglobin (mmol/l) | 8.4 (1.1) |
| Mean (SD) morning dyspnoea score (VAS) | 43 (26) |
| Mean (SD) morning dyspnoea score (VAS) range | 2-92 |
ECOG=Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
VAS=visual analogue score.