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Asthma

Epidemiology of Specific Chronic Diseases: Asthma

Description
Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, with reversible airflow obstruction and hyperresponsiveness to a variety of specific and non-specific stimuli, including; allergens, histamine, cold dry air, exercise, tobacco smoke, respiratory infections and chemical irritants.

Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild to severe and are characterized by wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, intercostal retractions and in extreme cases difficulty breathing.

Epidemiology

  • The UK has one of the highest rates people with asthma worldwide.
  • Currently, 5.2 million people receive treatment for asthma in the UK, of which 1.1 million are children. An estimated 10% of children in the UK suffer from asthma.
  • The onset of asthma is most common for children with another peak among individuals in their 30s. However the onset of asthma can begin at any age.
  • Among children, a slightly higher proportion of boys are affected. Among adults a higher proportion of women (60%) suffer from asthma.
  • In 2002 there were 1,400 deaths from asthma in the UK of which 75% occurred in persons aged >65 years.
  • In the UK around 14,500 first or new episodes of asthma are presented to GPs each week.
  • The office of health economics estimated that the total cost of asthma to the NHS in 2001 was 889 million pounds. 

Risk Factors

Age - asthma is common in children, with an estimated 10-15% affected by asthma
Respiratory infections in childhood
Smoking
Exposure to second hand smoke
Family history
Exposure to occupational triggers, including chemicals used in farming and paint, steel, plastics and electronic manufacturing.
Diet

References

Asthma UK www.asthma.org.uk 

© CM Kirwan 2006