Epidemiological Aspects of Asthma

Abstract

Although genes play a role in the pathophysiology of asthma, the genotypic variants that permit the development of asthma are common and lifestyle and environment are the limiting factors determining the prevalence of asthma. There is now strong evidence for a widespread increase in the prevalence of asthma over the last 30 years at least, and evidence is emerging that the prevalence of asthma varies widely between different populations, even in countries that have adopted a "Western lifestyle". Much of this variation is due to variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common allergens, but the causes of this variation are also unclear. There is an excess mortality in those with asthma, predominantly in the older age group. Attempts to improve the management of the disease throught better delivery of services are still largely unevaluated.
J Epidemiol, 1996 ; 6 : S43-S47.