From the Guidelines
Approximately 60-80% of all asthma cases in the United States are classified as allergic asthma. This means that the majority of people with asthma have a form triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. Allergic asthma involves an immune system response where exposure to these allergens causes the body to produce IgE antibodies, leading to inflammation in the airways, bronchoconstriction, and the classic asthma symptoms of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. According to the study by 1, there is a well-established epidemiologic association among the atopic disorders, asthma, eczema, and AR, which share many pathophysiologic mechanisms. Over half of patients with asthma have AR, and 10% to 40% of patients with AR have asthma. The association between asthma and AR is especially strong when asthma is documented to have an allergic cause.
This high prevalence explains why allergy testing and allergen avoidance are often important components of asthma management. For many patients, treatment involves both controlling the allergic response with antihistamines or immunotherapy and managing airway inflammation with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. The remaining 20-40% of asthma cases are non-allergic, triggered instead by factors such as respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, stress, or irritants like smoke and strong odors. The guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma, as outlined in the report by 1, emphasize the importance of individualized treatment plans and the use of evidence-based therapies to control asthma symptoms and improve quality of life.
Key points to consider in the management of allergic asthma include:
- Identifying and avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms
- Using antihistamines or immunotherapy to control the allergic response
- Managing airway inflammation with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators
- Developing an individualized treatment plan that takes into account the patient's specific needs and medical history.
From the Research
Allergic Asthma in the US
- The proportion of allergic asthma cases in the US is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is mentioned that there is often an allergic component of asthma 2.
- A study suggests that childhood asthma is characterized by a predominance of allergic sensitization and multimorbidity, while in adults polysensitization has been positively associated with asthma occurrence 6.
- The exact proportion of allergic asthma cases in the US cannot be determined from the provided evidence, as the studies focus on various aspects of asthma management, treatment, and epidemiology rather than specifically addressing the proportion of allergic asthma cases.