Table 1.
Demographic and medical characteristics among study cohort
| Characteristic | COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis [n = 427] | COPD or emphysema* [n = 240] |
|---|---|---|
| Female gender | 266 (62%) | 139 (58%) |
| Age >65 Years | 227 (53%) | 147 (61%) |
| White, non-Hispanic | 366 (86%) | 205 (85%) |
| High school education or less (HS) | 138 (32%) | 95 (40%) |
| Annual household income <$20,000† | 106 (26%) | 65 (29%) |
| HS or income <$20,000 | 189 (44%) | 120 (50%) |
| Lives in northern Californian region | 305 (71%) | 175 (73%) |
| Cigarette smoking status | ||
| Former | 240 (56%) | 150 (63%) |
| Current | 94 (22%) | 66 (28%) |
| Never | 93 (22%) | 24 (10%) |
| Respiratory diagnosis‡ | ||
| COPD | 146 (34%) | 146 (61%) |
| Emphysema | 166 (39%) | 166 (69%) |
| Chronic bronchitis | 304 (71%) | 117 (49%) |
| Concomitant asthma‡ | 215 (50%) | 123 (51%) |
| Home oxygen use | 72 (17%) | 65 (27%) |
| Inhaled or oral corticosteroid use | 103 (24%) | 78 (33%) |
| Long-acting beta agonist use | 108 (25%) | 85 (35%) |
| Some medication insurance coverage | 389 (91%) | 216 (90%) |
| Medical subspecialist treatment¶ | 130 (30%) | 91 (38%) |
| Tiotropium use | 44 (10%) | 41 (17%) |
*
Notes: Bronchitis alone without concomitant COPD or emphysema excluded;
†
Income data missing for 22 of 427 subjects in entire study group; 13 of 240 subjects in COPD/emphysema stratum;
‡
Multiple diagnoses can be reported. For asthma, a concomitant diagnosis of COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis must be reported;
¶
Treatment in the past 12 months by a pulmonary, allergy, or otolaryngology specialist.
Abbreviation: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.