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. 2016 Mar 9;11(3):e0151357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151357

Table 1. Description of the algorithms tested.

Algorithm Notes
1. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) prescription For 5–14 days
2. Antibiotic prescription For 5–14 days
3. Oral corticosteroid and antibiotic prescription For 5–14 days, both on the same day
4. Exacerbation Symptom definition Codes suggesting increase in two or more of: breathlessness, cough, or sputum volume and/or purulence
5. Exacerbation Symptom definition and oral corticosteroid prescription Symptom definition the same as 4. Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
6. Exacerbation Symptom definition and antibiotic prescription Symptom definition the same as 4. Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
7. Exacerbation Symptom definition and oral corticosteroid & antibiotic prescription Symptom definition the same as 4. Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
8. Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) code Specifically excluding codes for pneumonia
9. LRTI code and oral corticosteroid prescription Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
10. LRTI code and antibiotic prescription Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
11. LRTI code and oral corticosteroid & antibiotic prescription Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
12. AECOPD code
13. AECOPD code and oral corticosteroid prescription Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
14. AECOPD code and antibiotic prescription Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.
15. AECOPD code and oral corticosteroid & antibiotic prescription Medical codes must have been on the same day as prescription. Duration of prescription was not limited.