Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
Worldwide Impact of Human Development and Inequality on the Prevalence of Asthma, Rhinoconjunctivitis and Eczema.
Luis García-Marcos1, Chen-Yuan Chiang2,3,4, M Innes Asher5
1Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Units, Virgen De la Arrixaca University Children's Hospital, University of Murcia, and IMIB Bio-Medical Research Institute, Murcia, Spain.
Background:
Lower-income countries have lower asthma prevalence. However, how differences in human development and inequality can explain changes in the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases is not known.
Methods:
The Global Asthma Network Phase I study reported prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in children (6-7 years), adolescents (13-14 years), and their parents/guardians in 16, 25 and 17 countries. Gini inequality index (GinI) and human development index (HDI), together with mean annual relative humidity and temperature, and latitude, were used as potential explanatory factors of prevalence differences using meta-regression models, fitted values and heatmaps of prevalence.
Results:
GinI and HDI explained some proportion of asthma prevalence variability, which was highest in children (up to ~70% for disease indicators such as current wheeze or symptoms of severe asthma) and lowest in adolescents (~22% for symptoms of severe asthma or asthma ever). Rhinoconjunctivitis prevalence variability was poorly explained by covariates (from ~53% for current rhinoconjunctivitis among children-an exception-to none). Eczema indicators were explained in a range from ~60% in children (current eczema symptoms and symptoms of severe eczema) to ~12% in adolescents (current eczema symptoms). Overall, heatmaps showed areas of higher prevalence in the intersection of high GinI and high HDI values.
Conclusions:
HDI and Gini explain part of the worldwide variability in the prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema. This explanatory power is highest for asthma and lowest for rhinoconjunctivitis. Lower-resourced communities in highly developed countries show the greatest hazard, particularly for asthma.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
