Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma: Lessons Learned from the Storm Down-Under

Abstract

Epidemic thunderstorm asthma (ETSA) is a global health problem that can strike without sufficient warning and can have catastrophic consequences. Because of climate change, future events are likely to become more common, more disastrous, and more unpredictable. To prevent loss of life and avoid surge events on health care infrastructure, identifying at-risk individuals and their potential biomarkers is the most prophylactic approach that can be taken to mitigate the deadly consequences of ETSA. In this review, we provide an update on the clinical mechanism, global prevalence, and characteristics of those patients moderately or severely at risk of ETSA. Identifying these patient characteristics will aid clinical professionals to provide suitable and personalized treatment plans and, in turn, avoid future loss of life.

Keywords: Allergen-specific IgE; Allergens; Allergic rhinitis; Asthma treatment; Biomarkers; Epidemic thunderstorm asthma; Grass pollen; Melbourne; Risk factors; Sensitization.