Asthma prevalence fell, deaths rose in G20 countries in 2021 vs. 1990

Key takeaways:

• Nineteen countries and two regional bodies make up the G20.
• Changes in asthma-related deaths between the two years varied by location, age and sex.

BOSTON — In 2021 vs. 1990, the prevalence of asthma declined in G20 countries, but asthma-related deaths rose, according to data presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

“Asthma ranks as the second most significant cause of death and disability among chronic respiratory diseases in G20 countries,” Keethanshan Markandu, MSc, MBBS, and colleagues wrote in the study abstract.

In this analysis, Markandu and colleagues assessed data from the 19 countries and two regional bodies that make up the G20 via global burden of disease meta frame to estimate outcomes related to asthma, including prevalence and mortality, and see how they have changed between 1990 and 2021.

Researchers divided this analysis into four subgroups: location, age, sex and year.

Between the two studied years, there was a reduction in prevalence indicated by a total percentage change of –21% when considering all G20 countries, according to the abstract.

Although most countries had decreases in total percentage change in asthma prevalence from 1990 to 2021, five countries had rises. Of the five, researchers noted that Saudi Arabia had the greatest total percentage change increase at 70%, followed by United States with a 16% increase, Argentina with an 8% increase, Australia with a 4% increase and Canada with a 1% increase.

In contrast to prevalence, the abstract reported a 20% increase in total percentage change in deaths because of asthma between the two evaluated years, and India had the highest rise in this outcome at 70%. Other countries with notable increases in deaths included Indonesia with a 48% increase, South Africa with a 30% increase and Saudi Arabia with a 24% increase.

Asthma incidence was seen more among individuals younger vs. older than 20 years, with a count of 12 million, according to the abstract. Evaluation of asthma-related deaths by age revealed a pattern opposite to the one above, as more deaths were found among those 55 years and older (240,418 deaths) vs. younger in 2021.

Between 1990 and 2021, males had a larger decline in asthma incidence vs. females (total percentage change, 27% vs. 22%). Switching to death due to asthma, researchers observed a 38% increase in deaths among males over these years, whereas females only had a 3% increase.

“Significant disparities are evident across age groups and geographies,” Markandu and colleagues wrote. “Targeted interventions are crucial, especially given the rising burden among youth.”

Reference:

• About G20. https://www.g20.in/en/about-g20/about-g20.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2024.