title: Allergy in severe asthma.
abstract: It is well recognized that atopic sensitization is an important risk factor for asthma, both in adults and in children. However, the role of allergy in severe asthma is still under debate. The term 'Severe Asthma' encompasses a highly heterogeneous group of patients who require treatment on steps 4-5 of GINA guidelines to prevent their asthma from becoming 'uncontrolled', or whose disease remains 'uncontrolled' despite this therapy. Epidemiological studies on emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma suggest the important role of allergy in asthma exacerbations. In addition, allergic asthma in childhood is often associated with severe asthma in adulthood. A strong association exists between asthma exacerbations and respiratory viral infections, and interaction between viruses and allergy further increases the risk of asthma exacerbations. Furthermore, fungal allergy has been shown to play an important role in severe asthma. Other contributing factors include smoking, pollution and work-related exposures. The 'Allergy and Asthma Severity' EAACI Task Force examined the current evidence and produced this position document on the role of allergy in severe asthma.
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Del Giacco
authors: Department of Pediatric Allergy and Asthma, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bakirtas
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bel
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Custovic
authors: Department of General Practice and Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.|Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Diamant
authors: Klinik für Kinder and Jugendmedizin Kinderzentrum, Bethel Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Allergy Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Hamelmann
authors: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology - Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Heffler
authors: School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ö
authors: Ö
authors: Kalayci
authors: National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Saglani
authors: Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sergejeva
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, KU Leuven, Belgium.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Seys
authors: Centre Lead for Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, University Hospital of South Manchester, Education and Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Simpson
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bjermer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D010641:Phenotype; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: aetiology; allergy; asthma; atopy; severity