Participant characteristics of the REFER study and derivation dataseta
| Characteristic | REFER dataset (N= 304) | Derivation dataset15 (N= 298) | Comparison, P-valueb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, mean, years (SD) | 73.9 (8.8) | 71.5 (11.5) | 0.004 |
| Male | 124 (40.8) | 122 (40.9) | 0.9700 |
| Ethnicity | |||
| White | 214 (70.4) | – | – |
| Asian/Asian British | 56 (18.4) | – | – |
| Black/black British | 16 (5.3) | – | – |
| Other | 18 (5.9) | – | – |
| Ankle oedema | 248 (81.6) | 191 (64.1) | <0.0001 |
| Breathlessness | 247 (81.3) | 283 (95.0) | <0.0001 |
| Lethargy | 226 (74.3) | 184 (62.1) | 0.0009 |
| Previous myocardial infarction | 34 (11.2) | 42 (14.1) | 0.2800 |
| Basal crepitations | 16 (5.3) | 81 (27.2) | <0.0001 |
| Hypertension | 221 (72.7) | 165 (55.4) | <0.0001 |
| Diabetes | 86 (28.3) | 57 (19.1) | 0.0083 |
| COPD | 17 (5.6) | 57 (19.1) | <0.0001 |
| Depression | 73 (24.0) | – | – |
| Arthritis | 183 (60.2) | – | – |
| Medications | |||
| ACE inhibitors | 98 (32.2) | 68 (22.8) | 0.0100 |
| Beta-blockers | 82 (27.0) | 68 (22.8) | 0.2400 |
| ARBs | 58 (19.1) | – | – |
| Diuretics | 136 (44.7) | 189 (63.4) | <0.0001 |
| NT-proBNP median [IQR] | 214 [79–494] | 381.5 [135–1187] | <0.0001 |
↵a Figures are N (%) unless stated otherwise.
↵b Means of the two datasets were compared using a two-sample t-test; medians with a Wilcoxon ranked sum test; and proportions with χ2 tests. ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme. ARBs = angiotensin receptor blockers. COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. IQR = interquartile range. SD = standard deviation. NT-proBNP = N-Terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide levels.