Changes in spirometric parameters, airway responsiveness, and IgE over 18 month observation
| All workers (n=101) | Atopics (n=31) | Non-atopics (n=70) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Results expressed as mean (SE) unless stated otherwise. | |||
| †Relative to baseline data; *p<0.05, **p<0.01 in comparison with baseline data (paired t test). | |||
| ‡Cross shift change in FEV1. | |||
| None of the variables was statistically significant in comparison with atopics and non-atopics. | |||
| FVC†, ml | |||
| 3 months | 17.6 (19.1) | 67.5 (31.5)* | −5.7 (23.5) |
| 12 months | −157.3 (19.5)** | −158.9 (34.8)** | −156.6 (23.7)** |
| 18 months | −165.6 (24.7)** | −144.3 (48.1)** | −175.4 (28.6)** |
| FEV1†, ml | |||
| 3 months | 49.1 (17.8)** | 78.4 (17.6)** | 35.5 (24.6) |
| 12 months | −77.5 (16.1)** | −66.4 (16.4)** | −82.0 (21.7)** |
| 18 months | −40.8 (19.5)* | −12.2 (23.6) | −52.6 (25.7)* |
| ΔFEV1‡, ml | |||
| 3 months | −31.1 (9.3) | −38.1 (15.4) | −27.7 (11.7) |
| 12 months | −27.7 (7.0) | −33.3 (15.5) | −25.3 (7.5) |
| 18 months | −24.7 (8.4) | −39.5 (17.5) | −18.2 (9.3) |
| % ΔFEF1 ≥5% (n) | |||
| 3 months | 15.8 (16) | 6.5 (2) | 20.0 (14) |
| 12 months | 8.9 (9) | 16.1 (5) | 5.7 (4) |
| 18 months | 17.8 (18) | 25.8 (8) | 14.3 (10) |
| Change in FEV1 at highest methacholine†, ml | |||
| 12 months | −26.2 (19.3) | −47.2 (36.4) | −16.3 (22.7) |
| 18 months | −16.3 (18.8) | −63.5 (24.2)* | 3.8 (23.6) |
| Log [IgE]†, log mg/dl | |||
| 3 months | 0.25 (0.05)** | 0.35 (0.08)** | 0.20 (0.06)** |
| 12 months | −0.04 (0.06) | 0.01 (0.07) | −0.06 (0.08) |
| 18 months | −0.08 (0.07) | −0.04 (0.12) | −0.10 (0.08) |