Table 4

Baseline characteristics of patients

HAH, n=60UC, n=58
DECAF indices
 DECAF score 1, n (%)43 (71.7)31 (53.4)
 eMRCD dyspnoea score 5a, n (%) repeat below12 (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, %00
Minimisation indices
 ABG management, pH <7.35 / PCO>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 39910 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.