Table 3.
Results of the survey (using the SPES method) of complaints experienced by lead-exposed subjects (E) involving the subgroups of highexposed (hE) and lowexposed (lE), and controls (C) during the past six months. In the 16 answers: 1 denoted “occasional”, 2 “often”, and 3 “very often ” (The answers of 1, 2, and 3 to the particular question were percentages within a group; the balance of 100% did not complain of such symptoms).
| Parameter | Exposed (E) | Controls (C) | High exposed (hE) | Low exposed (lE) | P (E-C) | P (hE-C) | P (lE-C) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPES1 (physically tired in the morning) | 1 | 51.4 | 22.2 | 42.9 | 55.1 | <.001 | .025 | <.001 |
| 2 | 10.0 | 3.7 | 9.5 | 10.2 | ||||
| 3 | 5.7 | 0 | 4.8 | 6.1 | ||||
| SPES2 (mentally tired in the morning) | 1 | 2.29 | 0 | 19.0 | 24.5 | .005 | .019 | .004 |
| 2 | 14.3 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| SPES3 (general sensation of lack of energy) | 1 | 44.3 | 18.5 | 42.9 | 44.9 | .006 | .029 | .008 |
| 2 | 2.9 | 0 | 4.8 | 2.0 | ||||
| 3 | 14.3 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | ||||
| SPES4 (feelings of vertigo or fainting) | 1 | 41.4 | 14.8 | 47.7 | 38.8 | .017 | .057 | .023 |
| 2 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 6.1 | ||||
| 3 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 0 | 6.1 | ||||
| SPES5 (lack of initiative) | 1 | 42.9 | 25.9 | 42.9 | 42.9 | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| 2 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 2.0 | ||||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| SPES6 (difficulties falling asleep) | 1 | 24.3 | 14.8 | 9.5 | 30.6 | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| 2 | 8.6 | 18.5 | 14.3 | 6.1 | ||||
| 3 | 10.0 | 0 | 14.3 | 8.2 | ||||
| SPES7 (disturbed sleep) | 1 | 32.9 | 14.8 | 14.3 | 40.8 | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| 2 | 11.4 | 14.8 | 28.6 | 4.1 | ||||
| 3 | 5.7 | 0 | 9.5 | 4.1 | ||||
| SPES8 (waking up too early) | 1 | 22.9 | 22.2 | 23.8 | 22.4 | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| 2 | 15.7 | 3.7 | 9.5 | 18.4 | ||||
| 3 | 8.6 | 7.4 | 9.5 | 8.2 | ||||
| SPES9 (finding it hard to concentrate) | 1 | 57.1 | 10.2 | 57.1 | 57.1 | .003 | .011 | .006 |
| 2 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 9.5 | 4.1 | ||||
| 3 | 14.3 | 3.7 | 0 | 2.0 | ||||
| SPES10 (anxious, restless, and out of balance) | 1 | 24.3 | 11.1 | 28.6 | 22.4 | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| 2 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 0 | 6.1 | ||||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| SPES11 (being forgetful) | 1 | 60 | 16.3 | 61.9 | 59.2 | <.001 | .003 | .002 |
| 2 | 10 | 3.7 | 14.3 | 8.2 | ||||
| 3 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 | 4.1 | ||||
| SPES12 (feeling down without reason) | 1 | 25.7 | 0 | 38.1 | 20.4 | .011 | .004 | .028 |
| 2 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 0 | 4.1 | ||||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| SPES13 (being easily upset) | 1 | 38.6 | 25.9 | 38.1 | 38.8 | n.s. | .059 | n.s. |
| 2 | 7.1 | 3.7 | 9.5 | 6.1 | ||||
| 3 | 4.3 | 0 | 9.5 | 2.0 | ||||
| SPES14 (headaches) | 1 | 30.0 | 14.8 | 33.3 | 28.6 | .094 | .078 | n.s. |
| 2 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 9.5 | 4.1 | ||||
| 3 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 6.1 | ||||
| SPES15 (feeling clumsy or shaky) | 1 | 22.9 | 3.7 | 23.8 | 22.4 | .034 | n.s. | .027 |
| 2 | 4.3 | 0 | 0 | 6.1 | ||||
| 3 | 14.3 | 3.7 | 0 | 2.0 | ||||
| SPES16 (prickling sensat., numbness in limbs) | 1 | 41.4 | 40.7 | 47.7 | 38.8 | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| 2 | 2.9 | 7.4 | 0 | 4.1 | ||||
| 3 | 7.1 | 3.7 | 9.5 | 6.1 |