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Allergies in Asia: differences in prevalence and management compared with Western populations

There is wide variability in the epidemiology and management of childhood asthma and related atopic diseases globally. Urbanized, affluent Western countries tend to have a higher prevalence of these diseases compared with Asian nations. However, recent studies have shown that the prevalence in Asia is increasing, although the rate of increase has slowed in the more developed Asian cities. Some possible causes for these differences are socioeconomic status, degree of urbanization, rates of infection, healthcare practices and genetic factors. Importantly, there are significant differences in the way asthma and allergic diseases are managed within Asia. This is of great concern because of the health implications, as these diseases are some of the most common chronic conditions that affect both adults and children. This review compares the differences in prevalence and management between Asia and the West, and discusses some of the possible reasons behind these variations.