Table 3

 Adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of respiratory symptoms and COPD associated with COE exposure using control group as a referent

Control group(n = 211)Low exposure(n = 238)Moderate exposure(n = 237)High exposure(n = 237)
*Number (%).
†Adjusted for sex, age (<30, 30–34, 35–39, and ⩾40 years), height (<164, 164–167, 168–171, and ⩾172 cm), and cigarette-years of smoking (0, 1–99, 100–199, 200–299 and ⩾300 μg/m3-years) by logistic regression.
Number and prevalence*
Chronic cough or chronic phlegm29 (13.7)50 (21.0)62 (26.2)82 (34.6)
COPD15 (7.1)29 (12.2)56 (23.6)71 (30.0)
    Mild4 (1.9)7 (2.9)5 (2.1)3 (1.3)
    Moderate8 (3.8)18 (7.6)41 (17.3)58 (24.5)
    Severe3 (1.4)3 (1.3)10 (4.2)9 (3.8)
    Very severe0 (0.0)1 (0.4)0 (0.0)1 (0.4)
Adjusted OR (95% CI)
Chronic cough or chronic phlegm1 (referent)1.60 (0.97 to 2.65)1.99 (1.21 to 3.26)3.10 (1.91 to 5.03)
COPD1 (referent)1.68 (0.86 to 3.27)3.21 (1.71 to 6.01)5.80 (3.13 to 10.76)
    Mild1 (referent)1.74 (0.49 to 6.20)1.27 (0.31 to 5.14)0.77 (0.16 to 3.60)
    Moderate1 (referent)1.89 (0.80 to 4.47)4.00 (1.80 to 8.89)8.22 (3.76 to 17.97)
    Severe or very severe1 (referent)1.03 (0.22 to 4.80)2.26 (0.57 to 8.93)2.75 (0.71 to 10.66)