Table 1 Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics of the participants
Variables | SOC (n = 72) | Control (n = 73) |
|---|---|---|
Age, mean (SD), y | 67.4 (15.4) | 64.2 (14.4) |
 Age ≥ 70 y, n (%) | 36 (50) | 27 (36.9) |
Male, n (%) | 41 (56.9) | 44 (60.3) |
Body mass index, mean (SD) | 24.2 (5.1) | 22.5 (3.2) |
Charlson Comorbidity Index, mean (SD) | 2.7 (2.2) | 2.8 (2.6) |
ICU admission diagnosis, n (%) | Â | Â |
 Respiratory failure | 40 (55.7) | 44 (60.2) |
 Cardiac emergency | 14 (19.4) | 13 (17.8) |
 Noncardiogenic shock | 14 (19.4) | 14 (19.2) |
 Othersa | 4 (5.5) | 2 (2.8) |
APACHE II at ICU admission, mean (SD) | 21.9 (6.8) | 20.9 (7.6) |
Endotracheal tube size (Fr), n (%) | Â | Â |
 6.5 | 1 (1.4) | 2 (2.7) |
 7.0 | 34 (47.2) | 27 (37) |
 7.5 | 37 (51.4) | 43 (58.9) |
 8.0 | 0 (0) | 1 (1.4) |
Length of intubation, median (IQR), d | 6.1 (4.1–10.1) | 5.8 (4.2–10.2) |
 Intubated ≥ 6 d, n (%) | 37 (51.4) | 33 (45.2) |
Rapid shallow breathing index, means (SD) | 53.1 (26.8) | 48.7 (25.7) |
 > 105, n (%) | 2 (2.8) | 4 (5.5) |
Postextubation baseline | Â | Â |
GCS level, median (IQR) | 15 (14–15) | 15 (14–15) |
Oxygen demand, n (%) | Â | Â |
 Nasal cannula | 4 (5.6) | 5 (6.9) |
 Simple mask | 61 (84.7) | 60 (82.2) |
 NRM or NPPV | 7 (9.7) | 8 (10.9) |
Able to identify 3 shapes lollipop-style test pieces (i.e., Intact Oral stereognosis), n (%)b | 23 (31.9) | 15 (20.5) |
Cough during 0.4Â mol/L citric acid trials, n (%) | 51 (70.8) | 46 (63.0) |
Nothing by mouth (FOIS level 1) on the day of extubation, n (%) | 67 (93.1) | 69 (94.5) |
Dry mouth, n (%)c | 33/69 (47.8) | 29/71 (40.8) |