Table 4.
Baseline characteristics of patients
| HAH, n=60 | UC, n=58 | |
| DECAF indices | ||
| DECAF score 1, n (%) | 43 (71.7) | 31 (53.4) |
| eMRCD dyspnoea score 5a, n (%) repeat below | 12 (20) | 9 (15.5) |
| Eosinopaenia, % | 15 (25) | 8 (13.8) |
| CXR consolidation, % | 15 (25) | 9 (15.5) |
| Acidaemia (pH <7.30), % | 1 (1.7) | 0 |
| Atrial fibrillation, % | 0 | 0 |
| Minimisation indices | ||
| ABG management, pH <7.35 / PCO2 >6 pH ≥7.35, % | 7 (11.7) / 40 (66.7) | 8 (13.8) / 38 (65.5) |
| Hospital admissions in the previous year 1 / 2, % | 12 (20) / 21 (35) | 12 (20.7) / 19 (32.8) |
| Prior social care, % | 3 (5) | 1 (1.7) |
| Cerebrovascular disease, % | 9 (15) | 9 (15.5) |
| Sociodemographics | ||
| Age, years* | 71.0 (9.6) | 68.7 (10.5) |
| Female, % | 32 (53.3) | 30 (51.7) |
| Smoking pack-years, n† | 45 (35–50) | 44 (30–60) |
| Current smoking, % | 27 (45) | 25 (43.1) |
| Reporting no qualifications on leaving school, % | 46 (76.7) | 41 (70.7) |
| Most frequently reported family income per year, £† | 5200–10 399 | 10 400–15 599 |
| Markers of disease severity | ||
| FEV1% predicted* | 45.5 (18.4) | 42.1 (16.3) |
| LTOT prior to admission, % | 7 (11.7) | 2 (3.4) |
| Cor pulmonale, % | 11 (18.3) | 5 (8.6) |
| Comorbidity | ||
| IHD, % | 14 (23.3) | 12 (20.7) |
| Diabetes, % | 8 (13.3) | 5 (8.6) |
| LVD, % | 1 (1.7) | 3 (5.2) |
| Anxiety, % | 9 (15.0) | 3 (5.2) |
| Depression, % | 12 (20.0) | 9 (15.5) |
| Admission clinical data | ||
| Respiratory rate, per minute* | 25 (4.5) | 26 (5.1) |
| Pulse rate, per minute* | 103.9 (19.6) | 104.9 (15.4) |
| sBP, mm Hg* | 140.8 (21.1) | 145.1 (24.3 |
| dBP, mm Hg* | 77.3 (12.2) | 80.9 (14.5) |
| Temperature, °C† | 36.6 (36.2–37.3) | 36.5 (36.1–37.1) |
| Oxygen saturation† | 92 (89–94) | 92 (88.5–95) |
| Discoloured sputum, % | 43 (71.7) | 33 (56.9) |
| Arterial blood gas values | ||
| pH† | 7.42 (7.39–7.45) | 7.42 (7.38–7.44) |
| PaO2, kPa† | 7.6 (7.2–9.3) | 7.9 (7.2–10.2) |
| PaCO2, kPa† | 5.5 (5–6.25) | 5.3 (4.8–6.6) |
| HCO3, mmol/L* | 27.1 (4.3) | 27.3 (4.7) |
| pH <7.35, % | 7 (11.7) | 8 (13.8) |
| Baseline outcome measures | ||
| Utility score (EQ-5D-5L), n* | 0.517 (0.268) | 0.501 (0.243) |
| Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score A / D, n† | 6 (4–10.25) / 7 (4–9) | 7 (4–10) / 5 (2–8.25) |
| COPD Assessment Tool, n† | 28.5 (21.75–33) | 27 (23–32.25) |
| Treatment | ||
| ECOPD treatment prior to admissions, % | 32 (53.3) | 26 (44.8) |
*Mean (SD).
†Median (IQR).
A/D, anxiety/depression; ABG, arterial blood gas; CXR, chest radiograph; dBP, diastolic blood pressure; ECOPD, COPD exacerbation; eMRCD, extended Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score; EQ-5D-5L, EuroQuality of life; HAH, Hospital at Home; HCO3, bicarbonate; IHD, ischaemic heart disease; LTOT, long-term oxygen therapy; LVD, left ventricular dysfunction; sBP, systolic blood pressure; UC, usual care.