Table 2

Percentage prevalence of likely asthma, symptoms and risk factors (number of individuals) by smoking category and odds ratios (95% confidence interval) adjusted for gender, ETS and age

Current smoker

Ex smoker

Never smoker

Total

Wheeze

44.7 (628/1405)

23.6 (134/568)

20.8 (309/1488)

30.9 (1071/3461)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

3.00 (2.52 to 3.56)

1.2 (0.95 to 1.52)

1

Cough

43.9 (620/1411)

28.0 (158/565)

28.6 (426/1488)

34.8 (1071/3464)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

1.96 (1.66 to 2.30)

0.95 (0.77 to 1.19)

1

Shortness of breath

14.7 (208/1411)

8.3 (47/566)

8.4 (126/1492)

11.0 (381/3469)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

1.74 (1.36 to 2.23)

0.94 (0.66 to 1.33)

1

Chest tightness

28.2 (397/1408)

18.1 (102/565)

15.2 (227/1492)

21.0 (726/3465)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

2.10 (1.73 to 2.54)

1.24 (0.96 to 1.60)

1

History of hay fever/eczema

32.5 (460/1414)

35.0 (199/565)

37.2 (556/1493)

35.0 (1215/3476)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

0.86 (0.74 to 1.02)

0.93 (0.75 to 1.14)

1

Family history of asthma

61.1 (860/1408)

55.3 314/568)

54.0 (802/1486)

57.1 (1976/3462)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

1.30 (1.11–1.52)

1.06 (0.87–1.29)

1

Likely asthma

23.9 (327/1368)

12.7 (71/560)

12.6 (184/1457)

17.2 (582/3385)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

2.07 (1.68 to 2.54)

1.00 (0.75 to1.35)

1

Frank et al. BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2006 6:10   doi:10.1186/1471-2466-6-10