The role of the environment in shaping the trends of childhood asthma – An Asian perspective. Issue 6 (16th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leung, Agnes S. Y.; Tham, Elizabeth Huiwen; Li, Jing; Pacharn, Punchama; Takizawa, Takumi; Lee, Eun; Xing, Yuhan; Leung, Ting‐Fan; Hong, Soo‐Jong; Wong, Gary W. K.
• Editors: Kalaycı, Ömer
• Is Part Of: Pediatric allergy and immunology. Volume 32:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1152
• Page End: 1164
• Publication Date: 2021-04-16
• Subjects: asthma -- epidemiology -- indoor allergens -- prevention -- risk factors; Allergy in children -- Periodicals; Immunologic diseases in children -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1111/pai.13508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-6157

Abstract

Abstract: Asthma has now become one of the most common atopic disorders not only in developed countries but also in many developing countries. The etiology is likely due to a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In many Asian countries, the prevalence of asthma has also been documented by validated instruments to be increasing rapidly over the past two decades. However, studies in rural areas in Asia with a traditional farming environment revealed markedly lower asthma prevalence when compared with residents in nearby cities despite having similar genetic background. Among the environmental factors implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, air pollution, dietary patterns, viral infections, and early microbial exposure have been studied extensively around the world. Asia provides many opportunities to study these potential factors as there are many ethnic groups living in distinctly different environments. The understanding of the roles of these factors in affecting the early immune system and subsequent development of asthma will enable us to develop potential primary preventive strategies against a disease which affects millions worldwide.