The new asthma genetics and its implications for public health.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the genetics of asthma from a public health perspective. DATA SOURCES: Studies of asthma genetics published between 1990 and 1997 were reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: Studies based on random population sampling were preferred. Both linkage and association studies were included, as were genome scans. Studies needed to report results for asthma or the related traits of atopy and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). DATA EXTRACTION: The chromosomal locations linked to or candidate genes associated with asthmatic traits were tabulated. DATA SYNTHESIS: A clear majority of studies relied on clinical ascertainment or highly inbred populations. Although there is no consensus about the de..