Table 6.
Variables, measures, and methods of analysis
| Outcomes | Hypothesis | Outcome measurement | Analysis method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | TCM improved outcomes from baseline to 10 days | ||
| Interval time to next exacerbation | Telephone visit (continuous) | GLM | |
| CAT | Questionnaire score (continuous) | MENM | |
| Secondary | Improved occurred | ||
| Duration of COPD exacerbation | Calculating days in dairy (continuous) | GLM | |
| TCM syndrome assessment | Questionnaire score (continuous) | GLM | |
| Lung function | FEV1, FVC, PEF (continuous) | GLM | |
| Blood gas analysis | Pa (CO2), Pa(O2) (continuous) | GLM | |
| Infection index | EOS count, CRP, proclamation (continuous) | GLM | |
| Inflammation cytokine | IL-6, IL-8, IL-10(continuous) | GLM | |
| HPA axis | ACTH, CRH, CORT (continuous) | GLM | |
| Subgroup analysis | Effects adherence | Groups | |
| Age (in years) | < 64, ≥ 64 | ||
| Gender | Male, female | ||
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | < 18.5, ≥ 18.5 to < 24, ≥ 24 | ||
| Smoking history | Ex-smoker, current smoker | ||
| GOLD stage | I-II, III, IV | ||
| Infectious | Infectious, un-infectious | ||
| EOS count | < 300/μl, ≥ 300/μl |