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Review
. 2020 Dec 24;56(6):2002094.
doi: 10.1183/13993003.02094-2020. Print 2020 Dec.

Trends in worldwide asthma prevalence

M Innes Asher  1 , Luis García-Marcos  2 , Neil E Pearce  3 , David P Strachan  4
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Trends in worldwide asthma prevalence

M Innes Asher et al. Eur Respir J. .
Free article

Abstract

This review of trends in worldwide asthma prevalence starts with defining how asthma prevalence is measured in populations and how it is analysed. Four population studies of asthma across at least two regions are described: European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), the International Study of Wheezing in Infants (EISL), the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and the World Health Survey (WHS). Two of these (ISAAC and WHS) covered all the regions of the world; each using its own standardised questionnaire-based methodology with cross-sectional study design, suitable for large populations. EISL (2005 and 2012) and ISAAC (1996-1997 and 2002-2003) have undertaken a second cross-sectional population survey from which trends are available: EISL in three centres in two countries; ISAAC 106 centres in 56 countries (13-14 year olds) and 66 centres in 37 countries (6-7 year olds). Key results from these studies are presented. Unfortunately, there is no new worldwide data outside of EISL since 2003. Global Burden of Disease estimates of asthma prevalence have varied greatly. Recent reliable worldwide data on asthma prevalence and trends is needed; the Global Asthma Network Phase I will provide this in 2021.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: M.I. Asher has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: L. García-Marcos has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: N.E. Pearce has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: D.P. Strachan has nothing to disclose.

Comment in

  • A golden age of asthma research.
    O'Byrne PM, Pavord ID. O'Byrne PM, et al. Eur Respir J. 2020 Dec 24;56(6):2003820. doi: 10.1183/13993003.03820-2020. Print 2020 Dec. Eur Respir J. 2020. PMID: 33361451 No abstract available.

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