Results
Characteristics of Participants
Individuals with COPD who were removed from the sample due to missing data were compared to individuals who were included in analyses. The two groups were compared on every independent variable included in the regression models, as well as on ambiguity and complexity. The two groups did not
differ with regard to any of these variables (p>0.05) with the exception of age and AATD genotype. Individuals who were removed from the sample were older (t(df = 597)=2.12, p= 0.035, M (SD)=61.4 years (9.8) old if removed from the sample and 59.3 years (9.9) old if included in analyses). The percentage of individuals who did not know their genotype was higher in the group that was removed from the sample (χ2 (df = 2)=6.83, p=0.033, 15.3% if removed from the sample versus 9.1 % if included in analyses).