Table 2

Medical history of the study population by long-acting bronchodilator

Tiotropium, n=4767LABA*, n=6073
n%n%
Prior respiratory diagnosis
 COPD and asthma180738336655
 COPD only245051196032
 Other5101174712
Use of respiratory medications
 Short-acting anticholinergics194841237239
 Short-acting β-agonists337271505383
 Inhaled corticosteroids190440361059
 Oral corticosteroids139629222737
 Theophyllines23853616
 Cromoglycates481671
Use of oxygen18741753
Use of cardiac medications
 Anti-arrhythmics21953125
 Anti-coagulants183438206934
 Anti-hypertensives242451291348
 ACE inhibitors116224138023
 Diuretics191240233638
 Inotropics25452865
 Lipid regulators141330150925
 β-Blockers613135379
 Nitrates7041584314
History of ischaemic heart disease23353195
History of arrhythmia13931653
History of hypertension178537220236
History of diabetes4561059110
Use of spirometry (at least once)422589509384
Number of general practitioner visits
 035762887
 1–5216745257742
 6–10141530190231
 11+89719123720
Number of hospital admissions
 0414387509784
 1–25021179113
 3+12231853
  • * Single-ingredient formulations.

  • 365 days prior to index date.

  • COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; N, number; LABA, long-acting β-agonists.