Table 1.
Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Subjects
| Characteristics | Category | DA+a (N = 40) | DA−b (N = 41) | AWc (N = 50) | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (year)d | All | 34 (20, 57) | 36 (19, 64) | 28 (24, 61) | 0.006 |
| Gender (%) | Male | 34 (85.0%) | 36 (87.8%) | 45 (90.0%) | NS |
| DI exposed (%) | HDI | 19 (47.5%) | 28 (68.3%) | 50 (100%) | < 0.001 |
| MDI | 10 (25.0%) | 7 (17.1%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
| TDI | 11 (27.5%) | 6 (14.6%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
| Smoking (never versus others) | Never | 30 (75.0%) | 30 (73.2%) | 40 (80.0%) | NS |
| Atopy | Positive | 30 (78.9%) | 27 (65.9%) | 28 (56.0%) | NS |
| Methacholine PC20 (mg/ml) | < 2 | 17 (42.5%) | 6 (15.0%) | 2 (4.0%) | < 0.001 |
| ≥ 2 but < 32 | 16 (40.0%) | 16 (40.0%) | 17 (34.0%) | ||
| ≥ 32 | 7 (17.5%) | 18 (45.0%) | 31 (62.0%) | ||
| Duration of DI exposure (month)* | All | 60 (1, 456) | 48 (3, 384) | 77 (5, 113) | 0.044 |
| HDI only | 84 (3, 465) | 78 (3, 364) | 77 (5, 113) | NS |
Note. NS, no statistical significant with a p value > 0.05.
aDI-exposed workers presenting with lower respiratory symptoms and positive SIC.
bDI-exposed workers presenting with lower respiratory symptoms and negative SIC.
cDI-exposed workers presenting no lower respiratory symptoms.
dAge (year), median (minimum, maximum).