Table 1. Patient characteristics
Variable2006–2007, n = 31 676, n (%)a2016–2017, n = 37 393, n (%)aMarch–August 2020, n = 3368, n (%)aTotal, n (%)a
SexFemale14 583 (46.0)17 196 (46.0)1591 (47.2)33 370 (46.1)
Male17 093 (54.0)20 197 (54.0)1777 (52.8)39 069 (53.9)
Age, yearsMean (SD)67.5 (11.3)66.5 (11.4)66.4 (11.7)68.3 (12.0)
IMD quintile1 (least deprived)4692 (14.8)5508 (14.7)468 (13.9)10 668 (14.7)
25684 (17.9)6544 (17.5)559 (16.6)12 787 (17.7)
35968 (18.8)6932 (18.5)648 (19.2)13 548 (18.7)
46683 (21.1)8181 (21.9)762 (22.6)15 626 (21.6)
5 (most deprived)8621 (27.2)10 208 (27.3)929 (27.6)19 758 (27.3)
Missing28 (0.1)20 (0.1)<5 (0.1)NA (0.1)
Smoking statusMissing776 (2.4)2129 (5.7)115 (3.4)3020 (4.2)
Never smoker3599 (11.4)3734 (10.0)349 (10.4)7682 (10.6)
Ex-smoker12 306 (38.8)13 978 (37.4)1345 (39.9)27 629 (38.1)
Current smoker14 995 (47.3)17 552 (46.9)1559 (46.3)34 106 (47.1)
BMI measuredYes28 917 (91.3)36 430 (97.4)3272 (97.1)68 619 (94.7)
No2759 (8.7)963 (2.6)96 (2.9)3818 (5.3)
BMI categoryUnderweight (<18.5 kg/m2)1413 (4.5)1473 (3.9)130 (3.9)3016 (4.2)
Normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2)10 905 (34.4)12 185 (32.6)1119 (33.2)24 209 (33.4)
Overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2)9762 (30.8)12 223 (32.7)1010 (30.0)22 995 (31.7)
Obese (≥30 kg/m2)6837 (21.6)10 549 (28.2)1013 (30.1)18 399 (25.4)
Missing2759 (8.7)963 (2.6)96 (2.9)3818 (5.3)
Current asthmaYes8170 (25.8)7356 (19.7)672 (20.0)16 198 (22.4)
Congestive heart failureYes2008 (6.3)2383 (6.4)286 (8.5)4677 (6.5)
Total number of comorbiditiesMean (SD)3.5 (1.9)4.2 (2.1)4.2 (2.3)3.9 (2.2)
GOLD statusGOLD stage 1: ≥80%2748 (8.7)8516 (22.8)848 (25.2)12 112 (16.7)
GOLD stage 2: 50%–79%11 722 (37.0)15 839 (42.4)913 (27.1)28 474 (39.3)
GOLD stage 3: 30%–49%4927 (15.6)4066 (10.9)217 (6.4)9210 (12.7)
GOLD stage 4:<30%819 (2.6)502 (1.3)26 (0.8)1347 (1.9)
Missing FEV1 %-predicted measurement11 460 (36.2)8470 (22.7)1364 (40.5)21 294 (29.4)
  • aUnless otherwise stated. BMI = body mass index. FEV1 = forced expiratory volume. GOLD = Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. IMD = Index of Multiple Deprivation. NA = not available. SD = standard deviation.