Table 2– Multivariate analysis of variables affecting the rate of FEV1 decline stratified by the presence of exacerbation
No exacerbations≥1 exacerbation
VariableSlope (95% CI)p-valueSlope (95% CI)p-value
Longer duration of follow up yrs-1.21 (-1.48– -0.95)<0.0001-2.43 (-2.78– -2.08)<0.0001
Increasing age yrs-0.19 (-0.26– -0.13)<0.0001-0.25 (-0.35– -0.16)<0.0001
Earlier study entry calendar yr-0.33 (-0.58– -0.08)0.010-0.92 (-1.24–0.60)<0.0001
Lower baseline FEV1 % pred-0.81 (-0.84– -0.78)<0.0001-0.73 (-0.78– -0.69)<0.0001
BMI
 Normal weightRef.Ref.Ref.Ref.
 Underweight-3.56 (-4.85– -2.27)<0.0001-8.00 (-8.73– -7.26)<0.0001
 Overweight3.81 (2.90–4.72)<0.00014.21 (3.35–5.09)<0.0001
BCC infection-6.46 (-8.80– -4.12)<0.0001-2.78 (-5.53– -0.08)<0.0001
  • After adjusting for the other potential confounders, patients in the no exacerbations group with Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) infection have an annual rate of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline that is 6.46% greater than the group without BCC infection. % pred: % predicted; BMI: body mass index; Ref.: reference.