Table 2.
History of atopy, specific IgE level and total IgE amount among dairy-farmers and non-dairy-farmers
| DF-COPD | DF-Control | p-value | NF- COPD | NF-Control | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 101 | n = 98 | n = 85 | n = 89 | |||
| Personal history of hay fever, % | 8.9 | 10.2 | NS | 14.1 | 12.8 | NS |
| Personal history of atopic dermatitis, % | 5.0 | 5.1 | NS | 9.6 | 4.6 | NS |
| Personal history of allergy, % | 60.0 | 44.3 | 0.0277 | 70.2 | 52.8 | 0.0187 |
| Family history of allergy, % | 46.4 | 32.9 | NS | 42.6 | 41.1 | NS |
| Wheezing, % | 31.7 | 6.3 | < 0.0001 | 29.4 | 11.2 | 0.0028 |
| Total IgE amount | ||||||
| median (Q1-Q3) | 40 (17–125) | 37 (18–81) | NS | 42 (13–114) | 28 (15–75) | NS |
| > 100 IU/mL, % | 30.3 | 24.7 | NS | 31.7 | 17.1 | 0.0256 |
| Positive specific IgE (> 0.35 kUA/L) | ||||||
| At least one, % | 21.8 | 14.4 | NS | 28.2 | 23.9 | NS |
| Food allergens, % | 16.8* | 4.1 | 0.0037 | 7.1 | 5.6 | NS |
| Perennial inhalant allergens, % | 10.9 | 9.3 | NS | 10.6 | 12.4 | NS |
| Seasonal inhalant allergens, % | 11.9 | 3.1 | 0.0195 | 21.2 | 11.4 | NS |
| Polysensitized (at least 3 IgE) | 13.8 | 1.0 | 0.0006 | 8.2 | 6.7 | NS |
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, DF-COPD dairy farmers with COPD, NF-COPD non-dairy farmers with COPD, SD standard deviation, allergy was self reported, history of allergy covered nasal allergies including hay fever, eczema or any kind of skin allergy, or allergy to insect stings or bites. * p < 0.05, vs NF- COPD
Significant P values (< 0.05) are in bold