Risk factors for asthma across India: Results from global asthma network (GAN) phase I study
Sheetu Singh1, Sundeep Salvi2, Sushil K Kabra3
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian Chest Society
|June 26, 2025
Summary
This study identified genetic, environmental, personal health, and dietary risk factors for asthma in Indian children and adults. Public health measures are needed to improve air quality, dietary awareness, and reduce indoor hazards for asthma prevention.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Asthma is a significant respiratory condition affecting various age groups globally.
- Identifying specific risk factors and triggers is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies, particularly in diverse populations like India.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk factors and triggers predisposing to asthma in Indian children and adults.
- To analyze data from the Global Asthma Network Phase I study specific to the Indian subcontinent.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre, international, school-based, questionnaire-driven cross-sectional study.
- Analysis of data collected from nine centers across India between 2017-18, involving 20084 children, 25887 adolescents, and 81296 adults.
Main Results:
- Parental history of asthma, hay fever, exposure to damp homes, antibiotic use, and certain early-life exposures were linked to asthma risk.
- Environmental factors like traffic proximity and pet exposure in adolescents, and indoor cooking fuels in adults were significant.
- Dietary factors such as banana, curd, packed snacks, and ice cream consumption in adolescents, and mosquito repellent use in adults showed associations.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a combination of genetic, environmental, personal health, and dietary factors contributing to asthma in India.
- Emphasizes the necessity for targeted public health interventions focusing on air quality, dietary habits, and indoor environmental safety.
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