Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in exposed and non-exposed groups
| Symptoms | Dental technicians (n=132) | Control subjects (n=124) | OR (95% CI)* | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentages in parentheses. | ||||
| E, ever; LY, last year; SOB, shortness of breath. | ||||
| *Odds ratio (95% CI) for dental technicians versus control subjects adjusted for smoking in two classes, sex, age, and exposure to asbestos in the past in two classes by logistic regression analysis. | ||||
| Personal respiratory history | 22 (16.7) | 12 (9.7) | 1.4 (0.5 to 3.7) | 0.5 |
| Personal atopy | 71 (53.8) | 62 (50) | 0.9 (0.5 to 1.7) | 0.8 |
| Asthma (self reported) | 17 (12.9) | 12 (9.7) | 1.1 (0.4 to 3) | 0.9 |
| Asthma (doctor), E | 13 (9.8) | 12 (9.7) | 0.5 (0.2 to 1.8) | 0.3 |
| Attack of asthma, LY | 4 (3) | 1 (0.8) | 3.9 (0.3 to 46.9) | 0.3 |
| Medications for asthma | 9 (6.8) | 2 (1.6) | 2 (0.2 to 14.9) | 0.5 |
| Attack of SOB at rest, LY | 5 (3.8) | 3 (2.4) | 0.8 (0.1 to 8) | 0.8 |
| Woken by SOB, LY | 2 (1.5) | 1 (0.8) | 2.1 (0.1 to 37.9) | 0.6 |
| Woken by cough, LY | 17 (12.9) | 22 (17.7) | 0.6 (0.2 to 1.5) | 0.2 |
| Wheezing, LY | 14 (10.6) | 13 (10.5) | 0.4 (0.1 to 1.4) | 0.1 |
| Wheezing with breathlessness, LY | 9 (6.8) | 9 (7.3) | 0.2 (0.1 to 1.7) | 0.07 |
| Wheezing apart from a cold, LY | 8 (6.1) | 4 (3.2) | 0.4 (0.1 to 4.1) | 0.4 |
| Morning SOB, LY | 13 (9.8) | 11 (8.9) | 0.3 (0.1 to 1.6) | 0.1 |
| Usual morning cough | 12 (9.1) | 10 (8.1) | 2.5 (0.9 to 7) | 0.07 |
| Cough day and night | 17 (12.9) | 8 (6.5) | 2.9 (1.1 to 8.1) | 0.03 |
| Chronic cough | 8 (6.2) | 4 (3.2) | 2.4 (0.5 to 10.3) | 0.2 |
| Usual phlegm | 14 (10.6) | 2 (1.6) | 7.1 (1.4 to 36.5) | 0.008 |
| Chronic bronchitis | 8 (6.1) | 2 (1.6) | 3.3 (0.5 to 21.5) | 0.2 |
| Chronic cough or phlegm | 14 (10.6) | 5 (4) | 3 (0.8 to 10.5) | 0.09 |
| Dyspnoea | 24 (18.2) | 8 (6.5) | 2.3 (0.8 to 6.6) | 0.1 |