Importance of genetic factors in the development of allergic asthma

Aim To examine the importance and frequency of genetic factorsin the development of allergic asthma.Methods From March 2010 to June 2011, 96 patients withestablished diagnosis of asthma were analyzed retrospectivelyat the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases, Sremska Kamenica.According to the questionnaire, data related to gender, birthyear, types of asthma, disease onset, association with otherallergic diseases, types of allergens and the presence or absenceof genetic predisposition based on first- or second-degree relatives,were collected and processed. The obtained data were statisticallyprocessed using standard statistical methods. Values ofp<0.05 were considered as statistically significant.Results Of the total number of 96 patients suffering fromasthma, allergic and non-allergic asthma was diagnosed in 66(68.75%) and 30 (31.25%) patients, respectively. Both allergicand non-allergic asthma patients were predominantly female,64 (66.7%). Most of the patients were between 20 – 29 yearsof age, often followed by allergic disease (68.75%). There wasa genetic predisposition to the disease in 57 (59.37%) patients.Positive atopy by mother and father was registered in 24(66.67%) and eight (22.22%) patients, respectively. A hereditarypredisposition to the disease both by mother and fatherwas found in four (11.11%) patients (p<0.0001).Conclusion Positive atopy by mother was verified in most ofthe respondents, which indicated that heritage can have an importantrole in the development of asthma.