Introduction

Asthma is a multifactorial disease manifesting due to an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

Aims

In this sub analysis of the Indian data from Global asthma network (GAN), the risk factors associated with symptoms of asthma were analyzed.

Methods

Data from children in two age groups of 6-7 years and 13-14years and their parents were collected in this international, multicenter, school-based questionnaire study from 2017-18.

Results

20 084 children were included in the 6?7-year age group, 25 887 children were included in the 13?14-year age group and 81 296 parents were included. Risk factors of asthma in children: presence of asthma (adjusted odd?s ratio AOR 4.64, 95%CI 3-7.16) or allergic rhinitis (AOR 1.47, 95%CI 1.02-2.13) in parent, farm animal exposure (AOR 1.77, 95%CI 1.11-2.81), chest infection in first year of life (AOR 1.77, 95%CI 1.29-2.43), damp spots at home (AOR 2.77, 95%CI 1.82-4.26) and lying on sheep skin (AOR 3.58, 95%CI 2.61-4.91). Risk factors in adolescents: childhood eczema (AOR 2.14, 95%CI 1.51-3.04), presence of asthma in parents (AOR 1.98, 95%CI 1.38-2.84), exposure to cats (AOR 1.39, 95%CI 1.09-1.78), consumption of curd(AOR 1.69, 95%CI 1.31-2.19) and ice-creams (AOR 1.35, 95%CI 1.09-1.66). In the adults the predisposing factors: hay fever in parents (AOR 6.14, 95%CI 5.39-6.99), damp spots in houses (AOR 1.43, 95%CI 1.17-1.75), use of air conditioners (AOR 1.27, 95%CI 1.05-1.54), and caesarian section(AOR 1.31, 95%CI 1.13-1.52). Whereas potato (AOR 0.85, 95%CI 0.74-0.97) and milk consumption(AOR 0.86, 95%CI -0.75-0.98) were protective in adults.

Conclusion

Symptoms of asthma are common in all age-groups and there are a multitude of factors predisposing to asthma.