Characteristics of subjects with epidemic and non-epidemic asthma in 1995 (n = 203)
| Epidemic asthma (n = 104) | Non-epidemic asthma (n = 99) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 61.6 (15.2)2-150 | 53.7 (15.6) |
| Women (%) | 51.32-150 | 76.1 |
| Atopy (%)2-153 | 60.9 | 53.7 |
| Geometric mean total IgE (kU/l) | 106.22-150 | 59.8 |
| Mean (SD) FEV1 (% predicted) | 62.7 (26.3) | 66.8 (23.9) |
| Bronchial responsiveness (%)2-151 | 73.0 | 78.8 |
| Use of inhaled glucocorticoids (%) | 65.4 | 65.7 |
| Tobacco | ||
| Never smokers (%) | 48.7 | 62.1 |
| Ex-smokers (%) | 34.6 | 22.4 |
| Current smokers (%) | 16.7 | 15.5 |
| Skin soybean sensitivity (%)2-152 | 57.82-150 | 5.6 |
| Serum soybean specific IgE (%) | 55.12-150 | 6.0 |
↵2-150 p<0.05 for comparison between epidemic and non-epidemic asthmatic subjects.
↵2-153 Atopy defined as one or more positive skin prick tests to a panel of allergens including house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat, dog, tree mix, graminaceae mix, weed mix, Aspergillus, andAlternaria.
↵2-151 92.3% and 94.6% epidemic and non-epidemic asthmatic subjects, respectively, positive to methacholine when performed and 48.3% and 50%, respectively, positive to bronchodilator test.
↵2-152 Soybean sensitivity by prick to 1/10 glycerinated solution of soybean.