[Asthma prevalence and risk factor patterns].

Asthma is one of the most common non-communicable chronic diseases in the world, with a prevalence that historically has increased and now seems to have plateaued at around 10 percent of the general population in high-income countries like Sweden. Some phenotypes, especially the allergic asthma, may however still be increasing. Remission is common in children but less common in adults. Future urbanization and changes in lifestyle may lead to increased asthma prevalence, while further improvements in air quality, treatment and care may lead to decreases and benefit those already affected. It is important that we continuously follow trends in asthma prevalence, incidence, remission and risk factor patterns.