Table 4.

Prevalence ratios for occupational exposure from regression models of severe exacerbation of asthma

Occupational exposure assessed by the N-JEM	PR (95%CI)
Unexposed: reference category*	1.00
HMW agents	1.09 (0.74–1.60)
Mite and insect antigens, enzymes, molds, bioaerosols	1.27 (0.40–4.07)
Flour and plant antigens, mixed agricultural agents (not animals)	0.65 (0.1 1–3.82)
Latex	1.21 (0.81–1.82)
Pharmaceutical products	1.01 (0.48–2.13)
LMW agents	1.91 (1.19–3.09)†
Highly reactive agents, acrylates	1.14 (0.29–4.45)
Highly reactive agents, epoxy	2.50 (1.02–6.14)‡
Other highly reactive agents, e.g., amines, aldehydes, acids, anhydrides, chromates, curing agents, reactive gases, and dyes	1.93 (1.09–3.43)‡
Highly reactive chemicals, isocyanates	3.11 (1.56–6.20)†
IRR agents	1.61 (1.22–2.12)†
Cleaning agents	0.79 (0.24–2.69)
Organic dust, wood or paper	1.26 (0.42–3.79)
Inorganic dusts and fumes, mining and building construction workers, and others exposed to inorganic dusts	3.61 (2.18–5.97)†
Metalworking fluids	2.84 (1.38–5.84)†
Combustion particles/fumes: vehicle/motor exhaust	1.52 (0.96–2.39)§
High probability of exposure to ETS	1.88 (1.36–2.59)†
Accidental peak exposures to irritants	3.26 (1.46–7.29)†
Uncertain or low exposure	1.06 (0.60–1.89)

^*A separate regression model was fitted for each occupational exposure. The common reference category for occupational exposures comprised those who had jobs with no exposure to asthma-related agents. Each model also included three potential confounders: sex, the oldest of three age categories (39-44 years), and asthma severity (persistent vs. intermittent).

^†P < 0.01.

^‡P ≤ 0.05.

^§0.05 < P < 0.10.

N-JEM = asthma-specific job-exposure matrix; PR = prevalence ratio; CI = confidence interval; HMW = high molecular weight; LMW = low molecular weight; IRR = irritant; ETS = environmental tobacco smoke.