Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of study participants (n = 75)
| Characteristic | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Age, yr |
64 ± 8 |
|
| Gender, M/F |
24 (32)/51 (68) |
|
| Occupational status, n (%) |
Employed/self-employed |
18 (24) |
| |
Retired |
57 (76) |
| Level of education, n (%) |
Less than high school |
14 (19) |
| |
High school |
54 (72) |
| |
University |
7 (9) |
| Marital status, n (%) |
Married or with a partner |
57 (76) |
| |
Not married or not with a partner |
18 (24) |
| FEV1, L |
1.34 ± 0.6 |
|
| FEV1,% predicted |
61 ± 25 |
|
| Smoking status, n (%) |
Never |
53 (71%) |
| |
Current or ex |
22 (29%) |
| Aetiology, n (%) |
Post-infection |
32 (43%) |
| |
Idiopathic |
16 (21%) |
| |
Rheumatoid arthritis |
8 (11%) |
| |
COPD |
5 (7%) |
| |
Asthma |
3 (4%) |
| |
Other |
11 (15%) |
| Prescribed medicines |
|
12 ± 5 |
| Inhaled antibiotics, n (%) |
Colistin |
64 (85%) |
| |
Tobramycin |
11 (15%) |
| Other respiratory medicines, n (%) |
|
|
| Oral medicines |
Azithromycin |
38 (51%) |
| |
Oral steroids |
19 (25%) |
| |
Mucolytics |
10 (13%) |
| |
Leukotriene receptor antagonists |
8 (11%) |
| |
Theophylline |
7 (9%) |
| |
Co-trimoxazole |
1 (1%) |
| |
Salbutamol |
1 (1%) |
| Inhaled medicines |
Short-acting beta2 agonists |
67 (89%) |
| |
Inhaled corticosteroids |
65 (87%) |
| |
Antimuscarinics |
31 (41%) |
| |
Long-acting beta2 agonists |
2 (3%) |
| Nebulised medicines |
Short-acting beta2 agonists |
55 (73%) |
| |
Isotonic saline |
25 (33%) |
| |
Ipratropium bromide with salbutamol |
3 (4%) |
| |
Hypertonic saline |
1 (1%) |
| |
Budesonide |
1 (1%) |
| Airway clearance |
Active cycle of breathing technique |
39 (53%) |
| |
Acapella® |
45 (61%) |
| QOL-B |
Physical functioning |
31 ± 26 |
| |
Role functioning |
45 ± 28 |
| |
Vitality functioning |
37 ± 20 |
| |
Social functioning |
42 ± 26 |
| |
Emotional functioning |
73 ± 21 |
| |
Treatment burden |
56 ± 20 |
| |
Health perceptions |
39 ± 19 |
| Respiratory symptoms | 53 ± 21 | |
Results are presented as mean ± SD or n (%).
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
QOL-B: Quality of Life Questionnaire-Bronchiectasis; scores range 0–100, higher scores indicate better quality of life.