Table 4 Associations between groups without (EI-) and with eosinophilic inflammation (EI+) and constitutional, behavioural characteristics and markers of airway responsiveness and inflammation (percentage in column (n)) (N = 341).

Constitutional characteristics

   Gender: Male

56.3% (170)

53.9% (21)

0.77

   Atopy in family*

37.1% (112)

48.7% (19)

0.16

   Clinical atopy†

19.9% (60)

15.4% (6)

0.67**

   Personal atopy‡ (61 missing data)

25.7% (64)

61.3% (19)

<0.001

Behavioural characteristics

   Training track

Bakery

36.8% (111)

28.2% (11)

Pastry making

23.8% (72)

38.5% (15)

0.14

Hairdressing

39.4% (119)

33.3% (13)

   Tobacco usage status

Non smoker

48.0% (145)

56.4% (22)

Current smoker

48.7% (147)

38.5% (15)

0.36**

Past smoker

3.3% (10)

5.1% (2)

Baseline FEV1§

   >80.8%

86.1% (260)

84.6% (33)

   >76.0% and <80.7%

8.9% (27)

7.7% (3)

0.70**

   <76.0%

5.0% (15)

7.7% (3)

MBC test

   Airways responsiveness

MBC-

88.1% (266)

69.2% (27)

MBC+ ≥15 and <20% (% (n))

7.3% (22)

18.0% (7)

<0.01**

MBC+ ≥20% (% (n))

4.6% (14)

12.8% (5)

Rrs4-16 increase (%)

(mean (sd))

<42.4%

88.1% (266)

79.5% (31)

>42.4% and <54.6%

7.0% (21)

7.7% (3)

0.13**

>54.6%

5.0% (15)

12.8% (5)

Clinical indicators of airway inflammation

   Rhinoconjunctivitis-like symptoms||

8.6% (26)

15.4% (6)

0.24**

   Asthma-like symptoms¶

3.6% (11)

7.7% (3)

0.21**

Quantitative indicators of airway inflammation

   FENO in ppb (median (first-third quartiles))

12.0 (8.7-16.6)

50.8 (20.4-69.5)

<0.0001††

   FENO in percent predicted#

<140%

93.4% (282)

33.3% (13)

>140% and <225%

6.6% (20)

12.8% (5)

<0.001**

>225%

0

53.9% (21)

   Eosinophil count in nasal fluid lavage

<1%

93.1% (281)

33.3% (13)

>1% and <14%

7.0% (21)

5.1% (2)

<0.001**

>14%

0

61.5% (24)