Reference values for methacholine reactivity (SAPALDIA study)

Respiratory Research

Table 1 Definition of the study sample, SAPALDIA cross-sectional study, 1991

	Men	Women	Total
Whole SAPALDIA sample	4743 (100%)	4908 (100%)	9651 (100%)
- subjects with incomplete data on lung function and bronchial responsiveness*	3446 (72.7%)	3496 (71.2%)	6942 (71.9%)
- current or former smokers	1278 (26.9%)	1770 (36.1%)	3048 (31.6%)
- subjects with a prior diagnosis of asthma or symptoms related to asthma or bronchitis	1052 (22.2%)	1428 (29.1%)	2480 (25.7%)
- subjects with a positive or missing skin test	733 (15.5%)	1107 (22.6%)	1840 (19.1%)
- subjects with recent respiratory infection	612 (12.9%)	955 (19.5%)	1567 (16.2%)
Total of the study sample	612 (12.9%)	955 (19.5%)	1567 (16.2%)

* exclusion criteria from methacholine testing were FEV1/FVC ratio less than 80% of the ECCS-norm, FEV1 of less than 70% of the ECCS-norm, incomplete data on lung function, pregnancy or breast feeding, a myocardial infarction within the 3 months preceding the examination, being treated for severe heart failure, being treated with β-blockers including eye-drops, or refusal to participate; subjects with incomplete data on methacholine test were also excluded.

ISSN: 1465-993X