General characteristics of the 1219 study population hospitalised for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
| Variable | n | % |
| Female | 492 | 40.4 |
| Male | 727 | 59.6 |
| Age yrs | ||
| 55–64 | 257 | 21.1 |
| 65–74 | 515 | 42.2 |
| ≥75 | 447 | 36.7 |
| Year of hospitalisation | ||
| 1986–1989 | 97 | 8.0 |
| 1990–1994 | 649 | 53.2 |
| 1995–1998 | 473 | 38.8 |
| Drug usage at time of discharge | ||
| Respiratory drugs | ||
| Xanthine-derivates | 560 | 45.9 |
| Short-acting beta-agonists | 477 | 39.1 |
| Inhaled steroids | 438 | 35.9 |
| Parasympathicolytics | 429 | 35.2 |
| Long-acting beta-agonists | 110 | 9.0 |
| Systhemaic beta-agonists | 37 | 3.0 |
| Cromones/nedocromil | 18 | 1.5 |
| Markers for severity | ||
| Oral corticosteroids | 627 | 51.4 |
| ≥3 respiratory drugs | 214 | 17.6 |
| Oral antibiotics | 179 | 14.7 |
| Antihistamines | 58 | 4.8 |