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Increasing Prevalence of Allergic Disease and Its Impact on Current Practice

Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To summarize the most up-to-date literature on allergic diseases with an emphasis on understanding the increase in prevalence of allergic diseases.

Recent Findings

As atopy continues to rise, there is increasing evidence that genetic factors in addition to environmental factors contribute to the development of allergic disease. There is research to support that worsening air pollution and climate change as well as lifestyle changes such as an increase in saturated fats and sugars in the diet, antibiotic use, changes in the gut microbiome, and a shift towards a more sterile, more urbanized environment could all increase the likelihood of developing allergic diseases.

Summary

While the options available for management of allergic diseases are increasing and improving, the prevalence of allergic disease continues to rise. Further investigation of how we can influence the changes in our environment leading to increases in atopy as well as the genetics involved is crucial in order to prevent the development of allergic diseases.

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Fig. 1

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sofia E. Edwards-Salmon & Merin Kuruvilla

  2. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sofia E. Edwards-Salmon

  3. Department of Medicine, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Essex, UK

    Shree Lakshmi Padmanabhan

  4. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Joshua M. Levy

Authors
  1. Sofia E. Edwards-Salmon
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  2. Shree Lakshmi Padmanabhan
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  3. Merin Kuruvilla
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  4. Joshua M. Levy
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Correspondence to Joshua M. Levy.

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Edwards-Salmon, S.E., Padmanabhan, S.L., Kuruvilla, M. et al. Increasing Prevalence of Allergic Disease and Its Impact on Current Practice. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-022-00406-5

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Keywords

  • Atopy
  • Prevalence
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Asthma
  • Allergic conjunctivitis