Table 3

Relationships between plasma retinol concentrations and lung function levels and annual rate of change*


Quartiles
FEV1
95%CI
FVC
95%CI

Level at entry into program (ml)
Q1
0

0


Q2
5.5
-15.5,26.6
-8.9
-35.8,17.9

Q3
4.4
-19.8,28.7
6.6
-24.4,37.6

Q4
2.6
-25.5,30.9
-16.8
-52.7,19.1

Annual change (ml/year)
Q1
0

0
0

Q2
4.1
-1.8,10.1
10.3
2.7,17.9

Q3
7.1
1.0,13.4
11.1
3.2,19.1

Q4
11.3
4.8,17.7
18.6
2.7,10.3

*Adjusted for age, sex, height, asbestos exposure and smoking history

Quartile 1: Retinol concentrations lower than 2.5 μmol/L; Quartile 2: concentrations more than 2.5 and less than 3.0 μmol/L; quartile 3: concentrations more than 3.0 and less than 3.5; and quartile 4: concentrations equal or greater than 3.5 μmol/L.

Alfonso et al. Nutrition Journal 2005 4:16   doi:10.1186/1475-2891-4-16