Table 1.
Personal characteristics and baseline measures. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise]
| Variables | Usual care (n=193) | Early rehabilitation (n=196) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 71.2 (10.0) | 71.1 (9.4) |
| Men | 85 (44) | 88 (45) |
| Mean (SD) body mass index | 26.3 (7.1) | 26.6 (6.9) |
| Median (interquartile range) baseline MRC dyspnoea grade | 4 (3-4) | 4 (3-4) |
| Median (interquartile range) No of comorbidities | 2 (1-3) | 2 (2-3) |
| Mean (SD) previous FEV1 (L)* | 1.28 (0.64) | 1.12 (0.61) |
| Mean (SD) previous FEV1/FVC (%)* | 52.9 (18.3) | 49.5 (16.4) |
| Previous FEV1 (% predicted)* | 57.4 (23.6) | 51.9 (25.1) |
| Mean (SD) pack years | 41 (30) | 46 (30) |
| Smoking: | ||
| Current | 40 (21) | 43 (22) |
| Former | 137 (71) | 136 (70) |
| Never | 16 (8) | 16 (8) |
| Previous pulmonary rehabilitation | 62 (32) | 73 (37) |
| Home oxygen | 50 (26) | 55 (28) |
| Hospital admissions in previous year: | ||
| None | 100 (52) | 105 (54) |
| 1 | 53 (27) | 48 (24) |
| 2-4 | 40 (21) | 43 (22) |
| Primary diagnosis: | ||
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 151 (78) | 169 (86) |
| Chronic asthma | 17 (9) | 11 (6) |
| Interstitial lung disease | 13 (7) | 8 (4) |
| Bronchiectasis | 12 (6) | 8 (4) |
| Mean (SD) quadriceps strength on admission (kg) | 13.4 (7.6) | 12.8 (6.8) |
| Median (interquartile range) St Georges respiratory questionnaire total on admission | 68.1 (33.9-90.7) | 67.7 (34.8-94.0) |
| Mean (SD) heart rate on admission (bpm) | 90.4 (15.0) | 92.7 (14.7) |
| Required non-invasive ventilation on admission | 9 (5) | 7 (4) |
MRC=Medical Research Council; FEV1=forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC=forced vital capacity.
*Available in 267 participants (usual care n=136, early rehabilitation n=131).