Table 1

Baseline characteristics in the study patients

Physiological parameters
Protocol-directed weaning group (cases)
Physician-directed weaning group (controls)

Patients (n)
104
104
Male sex (n [%])
62 (60)
62 (60)
Age (years; mean ± SD)
57 ± 18
56 ± 18
SAPS II (mean ± SD)
49 ± 18
49 ± 18
Admission diagnosis (n [%])
     Medicine
54 (52)
63 (61)
     Surgery
25 (24)
20 (19)
     Neurosurgery
19 (18)
16 (15)
     COPD
6 (6)
5 (5)

Matching was successful for all parameters, and patients' physiological parameters were similar between groups. Admission diagnoses were similarly distributed between groups. COPD, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease; SAPS, Simplified Acute Physiology Score; SD, standard deviation.

Tonnelier et al. Critical Care 2005 9:R83   doi:10.1186/cc3030