Allergies and asthma- an epidemic of the 21st century

According to Prof. Ruby Pawankar, MD, PhD, and treasurer of the World Allergy Organization, the prevalence of asthma has increased markedly worldwide in recent decades and continues to increase, even in countries that have been relatively unaffected by the disease in the past.

Citing the State of the World Allergy Report of the World Allergy Organization, Prof. Pawankar said that about 300 million persons worldwide have asthma, approximately 50 percent of whom live in developing countries. With the trend of increase of allergies in children, she foresees a marked increase in allergies in the adult population in 10 to 15 years.

"Although genetic factors are important in the manifestation of asthma and allergies, the rapid increase in the prevalence of this disorder cannot be attributed to genetic factors alone. Changes in the social and economic environments to more industrial and postindustrial infrastructures also need to be taken into account," she explains. "In Asia for example, as communities adopt modern lifestyles and became more urbanized, the prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing, almost doubling in some countries over a period of 10 years."

The International Study on Asthma and Allergic rhinitis in children (ISAAC) recently reported that the prevalence of allergic diseases have increased from 0.8% to 29.1% for asthma, and from 5% to 45% for allergic rhinitis -which acts as a risk factor for asthma -in Asia Pacific.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airways disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems and symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. "Asthma symptoms vary over time, and also differ in severity from one individual to another. When it is not effectively treated, asthma often leads to hospitalization, poor quality of life, missed work and school, and - in some cases - death," says Prof. Pawankar.

The prevalence of asthma varies from one country to another in the Gulf region, but is relatively high. The high prevalence of asthma among children in the UAE is particularly alarming, with one in five children in the UAE having asthma, according to recent studies. Moreover, 27% of adults and 37% of children with asthma in the Asia-Pacific region reported that this condition had resulted in an absence from school or work in 2007, and 40% reported being hospitalized, visiting the emergency department or making unscheduled emergency visits to other health care facilities in the previous year, according to Prof. Pawankar. Based on the prevalence data, these numbers may be alarming in the Middle East region and would scientifically increase the socio-economic burden to nations.

Although asthma and allergy - which is considered the major risk factor for triggering asthma - are actually serious diseases that diminish the quality of life and work productivity of hundreds of millions of patients, most persons afflicted are severely under-diagnosed in many areas of the world, especially in the Middle East.

"In order to reduce the global burden of allergies and asthma, it is crucial to raise awareness in the public, patients, and update health care practitioners about asthma and allergies as a serious disease", adds Prof. Pawankar, the chair of the First Middle East Asia Allergy Asthma Immunology Congress (MEAAAIC), which will take place in Dubai for the first time from 26-29 March 2009, at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City. Under the theme of 'New Horizons in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology', the conference aims to enhance scientific exchange and research on allergic diseases and develop better and more effective treatment and preventative strategies for allergies.

The unique aspect of this conference is that it will connect basic and clinical scientists and doctors of many specialties from around the world including the World Allergy Organization, the American Collage of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, and European Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology among others.

"The MEAAAIC presents a unique opportunity to listen to the world's experts in the fields of asthma, allergy and immunology to discuss the current issues, latest developments and practical management of asthma and allergy,"

notes Dr. Fares Zaitoun, MD and co-chair of the MEAAAIC.

"Allergy and asthma are worldwide public health problems which require concerted efforts from the medical profession and the public in order to improve the quality of life of those suffering from these chronic diseases. Although there is no complete cure for them, asthma and allergy cases can be well treated and controlled with the appropriate treatment strategies."