Table 5.

PRs from regression models of severe exacerbation of asthma with several occupational exposure subcategories^*

Occupational exposure assessed by the N-JEM	PR (95%CI)	P value
Model A: all participants
LMW agent
Other highly reactive agents	1.65 (0.93–2.91)	0.08
IRR agents
Inorganic dusts	2.41 (1.46–3.99)	0.0006
Metalworking fluids	1.34 (0.65–2.74)	0.43
Combustion particles	1.24 (0.80–1.91)	0.33
High probability of exposure to ETS	1.84 (1.34–2.51)	0.0001
Model B: men
IRR agents
Inorganic dusts	2.53 (1.37–4.67)	0.003
Metalworking fluids	1.51 (0.60–3.79)	0.38
Combustion particles	1.33 (0.63–2.80)	0.45
High probability of exposure to ETS	3.25 (1.72–6.14)	0.0003
Model C: women
LMW agent
Other highly reactive agents	1.97 (1.08–3.60)	0.03
IRR agents
Combustion particles	1.16 (0.66–2.04)	0.60
High probability of exposure to ETS	1.50 (1.04–2.17)	0.03

^*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).

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