Table 3

Associations of nitrogen dioxide (time-weighted average, per 10 µg/m3 and 75th percentile cut-off) and distance from high-traffic roads (Dist HTRs, per 100 m and 25th percentile cut-off) with respiratory outcomes evaluated with the generalised estimation equations (GEE) models in the overall follow-up period

NO2 (per 10 μg/m3)NO2 (75th p)DistHTR (per 100 m)Dist. HTR (25thp)
Outcome (n of cases in the GEE)ORCI 95%ORCI 95%ORCI 95%ORCI 95%
Overall (GEE)
 Doctor-diagnosed asthma prevalence (113)1.010(0.69 to 1.47)1.386(0.82 to 2.34)0.991(0.97 to 1.02)0.615(0.33 to 1.13)
 Doctor-diagnosed asthma incidence (87)1.086(0.78 to 1.52)1.414(0.88 to 2.28)0.994(0.97 to 1.02)0.693(0.40 to 1.20)
 Wheezing (441)1.071(0.90 to 1.28)1.274(0.95 to 1.70)0.997(0.98 to 1.01)0.983(0.73 to 1.32)
 Shortness of breath with wheezing (272)1.159(0.94 to 1.43)1.309(0.94 to 1.81)0.994(0.98 to 1.01)1.067(0.75 to 1.52)
 Cough or phlegm apart from cold (391)1.109(0.92 to 1.33)1.258(0.96 to 1.66)1.004(0.99 to 1.02)0.842(0.62 to 1.14)
 Otitis (334)*1.084(0.89 to 1.32)1.204(0.88 to 1.65)0.999(0.98 to 1.02)1.004(0.73 to 1.39)
 Lower respiratory infections (260)*0.950(0.77 to 1.18)1.052(0.75 to 1.48)1.006(0.99 to 1.02)1.034(0.72 to 1.48)
  • *Not recorded at 7 years follow-up.

  • OR adjusted for gender, age, breastfeeding at 3 months, presence of any pets in home, siblings, day-care attendance, maternal and paternal smoking, maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal and paternal education, presence of moulds or dampness at home, familial asthma or allergies.