Table 4

 Multivariate associations (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals) between asthma/chronic bronchitis symptoms, and risk factors

Controls (n = 152*)All cases (n = 40)OR (95% CI)Asthma (n = 24)OR (95% CI)Chronic bronchitis without asthma (n = 16)OR (95% CI)
Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for all listed variables and age tertile.
*Three controls had missing values for one or more of the exposure variables and were not included in this multivariate model.
Bleach (both undiluted and diluted)
    <364 times/year5681.031.051.0
    364–640 times/year53113.3 (0.9 to 11)910 (1.7 to 60)20.9 (0.1 to 6.5)
    ⩾640 times/year43214.9 (1.5 to 15)1212 (2.3 to 67)92.6 (0.6 to 12)
Use of liquid multi-use cleaning products
    <266 times/year50201.0131.071.0
    266–480 times/year51120.3 (0.1 to 0.8)60.2 (0.0 to 0.7)60.3 (0.1 to 1.6)
    ⩾480 times/year5180.2 (0.1 to 0.6)50.1 (0.0 to 0.5)30.2 (0.0 to 1.3)
Washing dishes
    <376 times/year64101.081.021.0
    376–520 times/year37123.2 (1.0 to 10)62.0 (0.5 to 8.9)67.5 (1.0 to 53)
    ⩾520 times/year51183.1 (1.1 to 8.9)103.8 (1.0 to 14)86.5 (0.9 to 47)
Inhalation of an important quantity of vapours, gas, or fumes related to cleaning agents
    Never7391.051.041.0
    Ever79312.3 (0.9 to 6.1)193.8 (1.0 to 14)120.9 (0.2 to 4.3)
Employment in non-domestic cleaning
    Never10191.051.041.0
    Ever51318.5 (3.2 to 23)1912 (3.2 to 46)127.9 (1.6 to 39)
Smoking
    Never127251.0191.061.0
    Currently15114.1 (1.1 to 15)20.5 (0.1 to 3.9)922 (3.6 to 137)
    Formerly1045.3 (1.1 to 25)35.5 (0.9 to 33)18.9 (0.5 to 173)