The third phase of the International Asthma and Allergy Study (ISAAC) included a large number of children (about 1,200,000) from a large number of centers (233) and countries (98). Globally, the prevalence of current asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in 13-14 year olds was 14.1%; 14.6% and 7.3%, while at the age of 6-7 years it is 11.7%; 8.5% and 7.9% (respectively). This study showed variability in the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema that occurs not only between regions and countries, but also within centers in one country and even centers in one city. The prevalence of asthma was higher in countries with low socioeconomic status. The significant variability indicates the key role of environmental factors that influence the differences in prevalence between one place and another.
In Europe alone, almost 10 million people under the age of 45 have asthma.
The prevalence of asthma in the European Union (EU) is 8.2% in adults and 9.4% in children. The largest number of episodes of wheezing in preschool age is caused by respiratory viral infections in 30-50% of cases. Most often, episodes of vision are mild and transient and are treated in outpatient facilities. However, some infants will develop repeated severe episodes of wheezing that require medical attention and hospital treatment.
Estimated costs for the treatment of asthma in the EU, in 25 countries, are around 3 billion euros, while 5.2 billion euros for the treatment of wheezing.
According to the Global Asthma Report 2022, one in ten children has symptoms of asthma, while half of children with asthma have uncontrolled symptoms. A significant number of children do not have access to basic medicines for the treatment of asthma.
