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Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 5/2011

01-10-2011

Importance of Allergy in Asthma: An Epidemiologic Perspective

Authors: Jeroen Douwes, Collin Brooks, Christine van Dalen, Neil Pearce

Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

There has been a global epidemic of asthma during the past half-century. More recently, the prevalence has leveled off or declined in many Western countries, whereas the prevalence in less affluent nations is still increasing. The reasons for this and the different geographical patterns of asthma prevalence remain unclear. This paper provides an epidemiologic perspective on whether allergen exposure and allergies can explain these trends. In particular, the paper discusses 1) geographical and temporal trends in asthma and the role of allergens and allergy, 2) the importance of nonallergic mechanisms, 3) nonallergenic exposures that may modify the risk of allergies and asthma, and 4) new and emerging risk and protective factors. Although allergy and asthma are closely related, allergen exposure and allergy alone cannot explain current time trends and geographical patterns of asthma. Population-based studies focusing on recently identified risk and protective factors may provide further insight.
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Metadata
Title
Importance of Allergy in Asthma: An Epidemiologic Perspective
Authors
Jeroen Douwes
Collin Brooks
Christine van Dalen
Neil Pearce
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 1529-7322
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6315
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-011-0215-6

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