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Heterogeneity in Asthma pp 31–41Cite as

Heterogeneity of Asthma in Society

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 795))

Abstract

There has been an increased interest in studying other factors that affect asthma pathogenesis and cause heterogeneity in prevalence and incidence of asthma. The reason there are such varied expression patterns of disease in asthmatics is because of multiple variables that affect the pathogenesis of asthma. As an exemplar of an epidemiologic variable, we will discuss geographical location, obesity and vitamin D status of the individual, and their effects on asthma burden in humans. There is varying data regarding the prevalence or severity of asthma in urban versus rural setting which is likely related to the difference of the populations studied, complexity of causal variables involved, and local geographic factors. In addition to cross-sectional and cohort studies in humans, animal models and studies have established a link between asthma and obesity by investigating the mechanisms affecting both disease processes. The complicated interrelationship between obesity and asthma is an active area of epidemiological and experimental research with new insights being discovered at a rapid pace. Finally, vitamin D, an important immunomodulator thought to be important in pathogenesis of asthma, has both mechanistic and therapeutic implications in treatment of asthma. The influences of these factors on the clinical expression of asthma are discussed below.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301, University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA

    Rohit Divekar M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, 4.118 John Sealy Annex, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-0568, USA

    William J. Calhoun M.D.

Authors
  1. Rohit Divekar M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. William J. Calhoun M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rohit Divekar M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

    Allan R. Brasier

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Divekar, R., Calhoun, W.J. (2014). Heterogeneity of Asthma in Society. In: Brasier, A. (eds) Heterogeneity in Asthma. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 795. Humana Press, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8603-9_3

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