Table 1. Characteristics of the study sample (n=104).

Characteristic	Number	%
Male	62	59.6
Age group
50–59 years	42	40.4
60–69 years	51	49.0
⩾70 years	11	10.6
Current smokersa	44	42.3
Packyears b
1–14	32	30.8
15–30	32	30.8
⩾30	39	37.5
Reason to refer for spirometry
COPD	55	52.9
Asthma	16	15.4
Asthma/COPD	5	4.8
Otherc	11	10.6
None mentioned	17	16.3
Post-BD FEV1/FVC<0.70	44	42.3
Severity of airflow obstruction
Mild (FEV1 ⩾80% predicted)	22	50
Moderate (50% ⩽FEV1<80% predicted)	17	38.6
Severe (30% ⩽FEV1<50% predicted)	5	11.4
Reversible airflow obstructiond	12	11.5
Use of respiratory medication a
Short-acting bronchodilators	25	24.5
Long-acting bronchodilators	11	10.8
Inhaled corticosteroids	15	14.7

Abbreviations: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity.

^aTwo missing.

^bOne missing.

^cOther: three referred on account of dyspnoea, three for coughing and sputum production and five for an unspecified diagnostic referral for spirometry.

^dPost-BD FEV₁ 12% and 200 ml higher compared with pre-BD FEV₁.