Table 2 Baseline characteristics by arm, BIS Phase IIInm – informal carers of patients with non-malignant conditions

Carer age (years)

62.5 (14.82)

62.0 (12.02)

62.2 (13.39)

Carer sex (female)

79 % (23)

79 % (22)

79 % (45)

Carer employment status:

 Employed – full time

 Employed – part time

 Voluntary work  Retired

 Other (e.g., unemployed due to illness/student)

22 % (6)

22 % (6)

0 % (0)

48 % (13)

8 % (2)

8 % (2)

4 % (1)

4 % (1)

73 % (19)

11 % (3)

15 % (8)

13 % (7)

2 % (1)

60 % (32)

10 % (5)

NRS carer distress due to patient’s breathlessness (0-10)^a

5.0 (2.80)

4.5 (2.75)

4.7 (2.76)

Carer anxiety score (HADS; 0-21)^a

7.64 (4.97)

7.69 (4.36)

7.67 (4.64)

Carer depression score (HADS; 0-21)^a

5.04 (3.89)

5.04 (3.83)

5.04 (3.82)

Carer anxiety (HADS)^a:

 Normal (0-7)

 Mild (8-10) = possible clinical disorder

 Moderate (11-14) = probable clinical disorder

 Severe (15-21) = probable clinical disorder

52 % (13)

28 % (7)

8 % (2)

12 % (3)

44 % (10)

30 % (7)

17 % (4)

9 % (2)

48 % (23)

29 % (14)

13 % (6)

10 % (5)

Carer depression (HADS)^a:

 Normal (0-7)

 Mild (8-10) = possible clinical disorder

 Moderate (11-14) = probable clinical disorder

 Severe (15-21) = probable clinical disorder

84 % (21)

4 % (1)

8 % (2)

4 % (1)

74 % (17)

13 % (3)

13 % (3)

0 % (0)

79 % (38)

8 % (4)

10 % (5)

2 % (1)

Number of respondents

24-29

21-28

45-57

No carer interview

14

15

29