Table 1.
Baseline characteristic of groups of patients with acute respiratory tract infections according to randomised treatment advice. Figures are numbers* (percentage) of patients unless otherwise specified
| Paracetamol | Ibuprofen | Both | Drug taken as required | Drug taken regularly | No steam | Steam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) previous duration of illness (days) | 8.0 (7.9) | 7.3 (6.7) | 7.2 (6.5) | 7.4 (6.2) | 7.6 (7.9) | 7.4 (7.1) | 7.6 (7.0) |
| Mean (SD) severity (all symptoms) | 1.0 (0.44) | 1.0 (0.46) | 1.0 (0.44) | 1.0 (0.44) | 1.0 (0.46) | 1.0 (0.45) | 1.0 (0.44) |
| Fever in previous 24 hours | 180/304 (59) | 182/291 (62) | 166/285 (58) | 268/443 (61) | 260/437 (60) | 287/453 (63) | 241/427 (56) |
| Lower respiratory infection (LRTI)† | 38/263 (14) | 47/260 (18) | 50/254 (20) | 70/388 (18) | 65/389 (17) | 65/401 (16) | 70/376 (19) |
| Otitis media† | 27/302 (9) | 26/290 (9) | 29/283 (10) | 43/441 (10) | 39/434 (9) | 40/453 (9) | 42/422 (10) |
| Previous lung problems | 56/300 (19) | 48/293 (16) | 40/284 (14) | 79/443 (18) | 65/434 (15) | 69/452 (15) | 75/425 (18) |
| Sex (female) | 195/304 (64) | 185/291 (64) | 160/285 (56) | 269 /444 (61) | 271/437 (62) | 290/453 (64) | 250/427 (59) |
| Current smoker | 48/304 (16) | 57/290 (20) | 55/285 (19) | 72/442 (16) | 88/437 (20) | 83/452 (18) | 77/427 (18) |
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 34 (21) | 34 (21) | 33 (22) | 34 (21) | 33 (22) | 35 (21) | 32 (22) |
*Denominators vary because of missing data.
†LRTI and otitis media based on diagnosis/symptoms recorded by general practitioner in CRF=case report form.