| Value in baseline analysis | Range of values for univariate sensitivity analysis | Distribution for probabilistic sensitivity analysis | Source of data | |
| Risk difference | 0.094 | 0.004 to 0.184 (95% CI) | Normal with mean 0.094 and standard error 0.0464 | Meta-analysis from Cochrane review, multiple dose comparison, fixed effects model1 |
| Dose of ipratropium | 0.625 mg | 0.25 mg to 1 mg | Uniform between 0.25 mg and 1 mg | Range of values used in trials included in multiple dose comparison1 |
| Unit cost of ipratropium | £0.25 per 0.25 mg | £0.16 to £0.34 | Uniform between £0.16 and £0.34 | Range of NHS net prices for various non-proprietary and branded formulations from British National Formulary, March 1999. |
| Cost per inpatient admission, acute asthma | £860 | £620 to £907 (interquartile range) | Normal with mean £860 and standard error £40 | Distribution for 236 English hospital trusts reported in the NHS Executive 1998 national reference cost list for HRG D21 and D22 for non-elective inpatients |
| Annual asthma admissions from casualty, acute asthma, age 5-15, England | 7200 | 6570 to 7820 (95% CI) | Normal with mean 7200 and standard error 320. | Hospital episode statistics data for England, 1988 to 1996 |
| Percentage of casualty attendees (age 5-15 with acute asthma) admitted | 40% | 30% to 50% | Uniform between 30% and 50% | Mean rate estimated from an audit of UK accident and emergency departments4 (range estimated by authors) |
| Percentage of casualty attendees (age 5-15 with acute asthma) in severe category | 50% | 25% to 75% | Uniform distribution between 25% and 75% | Estimated by authors based on an audit of asthma attenders in accident and emergency at a UK hospital over two years5 (severity defined by British Thoracic Society guidelines) |
| Annual additional percentage uptake of review recommendations | 5% | 5% to 20% | Not included | Estimated by authors |
| Discount rate | 6% | 3% to 6% | Not included | Standard UK rate (6%) and recommended US rate (3%) |
CI=confidence interval.