Sickness absence due to respiratory complaints during the 2 year follow up among 251 welders, metal workers, and office workers
| n | Mean | Range | |
| Asthma-like complaints: | |||
| Prevalence (workers (n)) | 46 | ||
| Frequency (absence periods (n)) | 84 | 1.82 | 1–7 |
| Duration (work days of absence) | 84 | 6.47 | 1–23 |
| Ratio (work days with sickness absence (%)) | 46 | 2.69 | 0.45–13.0 |
| Complaints of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: | |||
| Prevalence (workers (n)) | 79 | ||
| Frequency (absence periods (n)) | 122 | 1.54 | 1–5 |
| Duration (work days of absence) | 122 | 8.35 | 1–252 |
| Ratio (work days with sickness absence (%)) | 79 | 3.23 | 0.23–61.4 |
| Complaints of chronic non-specific lung disease: | |||
| Prevalence (workers (n)) | 88 | ||
| Frequency (absence periods (n)) | 157 | 1.78 | 1–7 |
| Duration (work days of absence) | 157 | 7.63 | 1–252 |
| Ratio (work days with sickness absence (%)) | 88 | 3.10 | 0.23–61.4 |