Table 3.
Patient symptoms during exacerbations
| Measurement | Recorded during an exacerbation |
|---|---|
| Total number of patients | 136 |
| Increased dyspnoea (%) | 134 (99) |
| Increased sputum volume (%) | 88 (65) |
| Increased sputum purulence (%) | 81 (60) |
| Increased cough (%) | 105 (77) |
| Nasal discharge/congestion (%) | 75 (55) |
| Wheeze (%) | 110 (81) |
| Sore throat (%) | 34 (25) |
| Fever (%)a | 38 (28) |
| Anthonisen scoreb | 1.8 ± 0.8 |
| Total symptom score | 4.6 ± 1.5 |
| MRC score | 5.0 (5.0–5.0) |
Symptom score is based on the sum value of binary coded respiratory symptoms: dyspnoea, increased sputum purulence, increased sputum volume, nasal discharge/congestion, wheeze, sore throat and cough.
a
Chi squared test, fever and respiratory virus detection, p < 0.01.
b
Anthonisen criteria.13