Epidemiology and Management of Asthma and Allergic Disorders

Asthma and allergic disorders constitute a significant and growing public-health challenge worldwide, with an estimated 300 million people affected by asthma and a comparable number suffering from allergic rhinitis. Urbanisation, air pollution and changing patterns of indoor and outdoor allergens have driven increasing prevalence, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Socioeconomic disparities and access to care shape both incidence and outcomes, with disease control often suboptimal despite the availability of effective treatments. Management strategies centre on achieving and maintaining symptom control, reducing exacerbations and minimising medication side effects. Core pharmacotherapies include inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators for asthma, and intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines for rhinitis; allergen immunotherapy offers disease-modifying potential in selected patients. Digital tools and mobile health platforms are emerging as valuable adjuncts for monitoring control, promoting adherence and guiding shared decision-making. A holistic, personalised approach that integrates environmental risk reduction, patient education and precision therapeutics is critical to curbing the individual and societal burden of these chronic conditions.

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Epidemiology and Management of Asthma and Allergic Disorders publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology and management of asthma and allergic disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

e-DASTHMA: An electronic daily asthma control score derived from patient-reported symptom scales and medication use.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO): A non-invasive biomarker reflecting airway eosinophilic inflammation.

Spirometry: A pulmonary function test measuring forced expiratory volume and capacity to assess airflow obstruction.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA): Extracellular DNA fragments released into bodily fluids during inflammation or cell damage.

PAMAM-G3: Third-generation polyamidoamine dendrimer, a cationic polymer used to bind and clear extracellular DNA.

References

1. Development and validation of an electronic daily control score for asthma (e-DASTHMA): a real-world direct patient data study. The Lancet Digital Health (2023).
2. Asthma symptoms, severity, and control with and without a clinical diagnosis of asthma in early adolescence in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country, school-based, cross-sectional study. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (2024).
3. Intranasal PAMAM-G3 scavenges cell-free DNA attenuating the allergic airway inflammation. Cell Death Discovery (2024).