Table 1

Characteristics of the study population (n = 119)





COPD


Healthy (ex)smokers
At Risk (Stage 0)
Mild (Stage I)
Moderate (Stage IIA)
Moderate (Stage IIB)
Severe (Stage III)

N
44
18
15
20
16
6
Males (%)
48
33
60
70
81
100
Age, yr
51 (45–71)
53 (42–61)
54 (48–66)
57 (46–73)
66 (49–74)
59 (53–69)
Pack yr
24 (4–66)
29 (2–67)
31 (20–77)
35 (15–77)
36 (10–85)
34 (12–45)
Current smoking(%)
89
100
100
85
75
83
FEV1 (%pred)
101 (62–128)
105 (82–132)
93 (81–116)
69 (51–75)
41 (30–49)
24 (22–28)

Healthy (ex) smokers; normal spirometry, no chronic symptoms (cough, sputum production). COPD classification of COPD by severity according to the GOLD guidelines; Stage 0: normal spirometry, chronic symptoms (cough, sputum production); Stage I: FEV1/FVC < 70%, FEV1 ≥ 80 % predicted, with or without chronic symptoms (cough, sputum production, dyspnea); Stage IIA: FEV1/FVC < 70%, 50% ≥ FEV1 < 80 % predicted; Stage IIB: FEV1/FVC < 70%, 30% ≥ FEV1 < 50 % predicted; Stage III: FEV1/FVC < 70%, FEV1 < 30 % predicted or FEV1 < 50% predicted plus respiratory failure or clinical signs of right heart failure.

van der Molen et al. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2003 1:13   doi:10.1186/1477-7525-1-13