Multidimensional assessment of traits and trait identification markers
| Trait | Trait identification marker |
| Pulmonary | |
| Airflow limitation | FEV1/FVC ratio <70% and FEV1 <80% predicted |
| Airway inflammation (eosinophilic) | Sputum eosinophils ≥3% |
| Airway inflammation (neutrophilic) | Sputum neutrophils ≥61% |
| Frequent chest infection | ≥2 courses of antibiotics for an exacerbation of chest symptoms |
| Pathogen colonisation | Presence of a recognised bacterial pathogen in sputum |
| Mucus hypersecretion | Volume ≥25 mL of mucus produced daily for the past week in the absence of an infection |
| Oxygen desaturation | Oxygen saturation levels of <90% during 6MWT |
| Dyspnoea | Dyspnoea score ≥2, modified Medical Research Council scale |
| Systemic allergic inflammation | Serum IgE level ≥76 IU·mL−1 (prescribed according to PBS guidelines (supplementary table S1) |
| Extrapulmonary | |
| Dysfunctional breathing | Nijmegen score ≥23 |
| Anaemia | Hb <120 g·L−1 for females, <140 g·L−1 for males |
| Systemic inflammation | hsCRP ≥3 mg·L−1 |
| Daytime sleepiness | Epworth sleep score >8 |
| Obesity | BMI ≥30 kg·m−2 |
| Depression and/or anxiety | Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (≥8 on anxiety and/or depression subscale) |
| Significant medical history | Patient self-reported other medical conditions |
| Cardiac history | Patient self-reported cardiac conditions |
| Vocal cord dysfunction | Vocal cord dysfunction questionnaire: total score ≥5 is positive for laryngeal dysfunction |
| Risk factors and behavioural traits | |
| Absence of written action plan | Patient does not possess written action plan or does not use the prescribed plan during exacerbations |
| Exercise tolerance | Distance of <350 m on 6MWT |
| Bone density | |
| Osteopenia | T-score between −1.0– −2.5 |
| Osteoporosis | T-score ≤−2.5 |
| Smoking | Admit to smoking or exhaled carbon monoxide ≥10 ppm |
| Sarcopenia | Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index <7.26 kg·m−2 for males and <5.45 kg·m−2 for females |
| Inhaler device polypharmacy | Number of inhaler devices is ≥3 |
| Inadequate inhaler device technique | Inhaler technique rated as inadequate |
| Nonadherence | Reported use of <80% of prescribed treatment |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC: forced vital capacity; 6MWT: 6-min walk test; PBS: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; Hb: haemoglobin; hsCRP: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; BMI: body mass index.