Risk factors for asthma

Risk factors for development and expression of asthma can be:

• host factors
  • genetics – genes which predispose to atopy, airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation
  • obesity – prevalence and incidence of asthma is increased in obese people BMI >30 kg/m²
  • sex – during childhood, boys have a higher risk of getting asthma while in adulthood the prevalence of asthma is greater in women than in men
    
    
• environmental factors
  • allergens
    • indoor – domestic mites, furred animals (dogs, cats, mice), cockroaches, fungi, molds, yeasts
    • outdoor – pollen, molds
  • occupation sensitizers and allergens e.g. – flour, laboratory rodents, paints
  • infections – majority viral
  • microbiome
  • exposure to tobacco smoke – passive and active smoking
  • outdoor and indoor air pollution
  • diet
  • paracetamol
  • stress (1)

Reference:

1. Global Initiative For Asthma (GINA) 2023. Global strategy for asthma management and prevention