22. Epidemiology and prevention of asthma
- Epidemiology
- Prevalence: 7% in world
- Increasing
- Black > white
- Mostly in children
- Allergic asthma – childhood onset
- Nonallergic asthma – adulthood onset
- Prevalence: 7% in world
- Etiology
- For allergic asthma
- Atopy
- Allergic rhinitis
- Eczema
- Air pollution
- Allergies
- Mold
- Dust mite
- Atopy
- For non-allergic asthma
- Respiratory infections in childhood
- Both
- Smoking or second-hand smoke
- Low socioeconomic status
- Obesity
- Occupational air pollution exposure
- For allergic asthma
- Prognosis
- Developing countries have fewer medications and options for treatment -> higher mortality and morbidity
- Therapy is expensive
- 80% of deaths in low income countries
- Prevention
- Primary
- Prevention of development of atopy
- Breastfeeding
- Prevention of passive smoking
- Adequate control of childhood infections
- Secondary
- Screen high-risk
- Tertiary
- Avoid triggers
- Get vaccinations
- Effective medication and management
- Primary