Prevalence and Etiology of Adult Onset Asthma

We are conducting a population study that examines the etiology of adult asthma. We will compare the prevalence of adult onset asthma with other factors. This investigation will study the overlap between volatile organic compounds (VOC) exposures and the development of adult asthma. We will collect data to illustrate this potential association. The first cohort of data has already been gathered and this presentation will report on the findings of the subsequent collections. A population study with a random sample of 1,000 geographically weighted cases, gathered from the American population and collected in different cohorts, will be used to determine the prevalence of both asthma and chemical hypersensitivity in the American population and to explore their potential co-occurrence. A questionnaire administered by phone will be the primary research implement. Respondents will be asked a range of questions including: have they been diagnosed with asthma, do they experience a hypersensitivity to chemicals, do they react adversely to air fresheners and scented products, and their level of reactivity. Those who report asthma will also be asked their age of onset and if their condition originated from an exposure to a toxic substance such as a VOC. This data will help elucidate if asthmatics have a greater tendency to exhibit chemical hypersensitivity than the general population, and if asthmatics that first experienced asthmatic symptoms after a toxic exposure are more likely to have a chemical hypersensitivity. The demographic characteristics of respondents will be examined to determine if any racial/ethnic group is disproportionately impacted.