Does this patient have atopic asthma?

摘要

The prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases such as eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and food allergies has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Asthma, in particular, is a serious global health problem and now the most common chronic condition in industrialised nations, with 300 million people affected worldwide in 2009 and 250,000 deaths recorded. Atopic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting 70-90% of children and about 50% of adult sufferers. Exposure to environmental proteins called allergens is responsible for the characteristic symptoms. Allergens are ubiquitous. Knowledge of an individual's provoking triggers via a careful history may lead to successful avoidance measures. Where conventional treatment fails, immunomodulation may be considered in the most severe cases.