Table 1

Respiratory exacerbations from enrolment to 5 years of age

ParametersTotal numberIncidence per person-yearsIRR95% CIp Value*
Total respiratory exacerbations (n=2080)
Gender
 Boys (n=88)11233.831.100.93 to 1.300.261
 Girls (n=80)9573.48
Group
 BAL (n=84)10473.681.010.85 to 1.190.940
 Std (n=84)10333.65
Anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis for at least the first year of life
 Yes (n=54)5162.940.740.62 to 0.880.001
 No (n=114)15643.99
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
 Ever (n=101)12933.901.170.99 to 1.380.062
 Never (n=67)7873.34
Maternal smoking
 Yes (n=41)4713.300.870.72 to 1.050.151
 No (n=127)16093.79
Highest parental education level for both parents
 Completed year 10 (n=24)2833.471.000.766
 Completed secondary education (n=39)4493.461.000.72 to 1.38
 Trade (n=76)9463.661.050.79 to 1.39
 Completed tertiary education (n=17)2363.981.140.83 to 1.58
Age
 0–1 year (n=168)2843.021.000.007
 >1–2 years (n=165)4113.361.110.94 to 1.31
 >2–3 years (n=161)4123.471.140.96 to 1.37
 >3–4 years (n=159)4684.101.361.12 to 1.64
 >4–5+ years (n=158)5054.201.391.15 to 1.68
Total exacerbations (n=2080)
 QLD (n=60)7353.49<0.001
 VIC (n=40)6575.14
 NSW and SA (n=42)3852.85
 NZ (n=26)3033.22
Exacerbations reported by clinic doctor (n=1263)
 QLD (n=60)5682.52<0.001
 VIC (n=40)2021.21
 NSW and SA (n=42)2902.03
 NZ (n=26)2032.02
Total/number children†Incidence per person-yearsIRR95% CIp Value*
Respiratory exacerbations resulting in hospital admission (n=413)
Parameters
 Boys (n=88)225/640.621.110.81 to 1.520.507
 Girls (n=80)188/690.55
Group
 BAL (n=84)227/720.641.220.87 to 1.720.240
 Std (n=84)186/610.53
Anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis for at least the first year of life
 Yes (n=54)100/410.470.740.54 to 1.020.066
 No (n=114)313/920.63
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
 Ever (n=101)315/920.762.271.61 to 3.19<0.001
 Never (n=67)98/410.34
Maternal smoking
 Yes (n=41)124/360.711.310.97 to 1.770.075
 No (n=127)289/970.54
Highest parental education level for both parents
 Completed year 10 (n=24)82/180.831.000.385
 Completed secondary education (n=39)82/290.510.620.34 to 1.14
 Trade (n=76)180/620.560.680.38 to 1.21
 Completed tertiary education (n=17)34/130.460.550.27 to 1.14
Age
 0–1 year (n=168)64/460.581.000.778
 >1–2 years (n=165)88/690.591.010.73 to 1.40
 >2–3 years (n=161)95/800.661.130.79 to 1.62
 >3–4 years (n=159)80/680.550.960.66 to 1.38
 >4–5+ years (n=158)86/720.550.950.65 to 1.38
Total exacerbations
 QLD (n=60)183/540.710.021
 VIC (n=40)102/270.60
 NSW and SA (n=42)70/320.43
 NZ (n=26)58/200.51
Exacerbations reported by clinic doctor
 QLD (n=60)151/510.570.083
 VIC (n=40)55/210.31
 NSW and SA (n=42)66/310.40
 NZ (n=26)53/180.46
  • *p Value for Poisson regression test of null hypothesis that incidence rates are equal across categories.

  • †Total number of exacerbations resulting in hospital admission/number of children having at least one exacerbation resulting in hospital admission.

  • BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; IRR, incidence rate ratio; NSW, New South Wales; NZ, New Zealand; QLD, Queensland; SA, South Australia, VIC, Victoria.