Asthma

Polygenic risk

People with high polygenic risk scores are about twice as likely to get asthma as people who aren't in the high-risk category.

This estimate is based on data from people of African, European and multiple ancestries. Information is lacking or not available for those of other ancestries.

For participants with a high polygenic risk score, recommendations include:

• Perform asthma risk assessment and educate about symptoms of airway obstruction.
• Ask about what triggers wheezes or coughing in the living environment, including:
  • Airway irritants such as smoke.
  • Allergens such as mold, dust mites and pet dander.
  • Seasonal allergies.
• Educate participants about how to lower these triggers.
• If the participant has a history of wheezing or coughing, assess the need for further treatment. This could include a rescue inhaler, treatment at home or medicine such as albuterol (Proair, Ventolin, others) before exercise.
• Consider referral to a specialist for asthma, lung diseases or allergies.
• Begin an asthma action plan if asthma is suspected.

Clinical risk score

The online Pediatric Asthma Risk Score (PARS) tool assesses the risk of asthma in young children. Scores from this tool do not include genetic risk factors. The eMERGE study does not use this tool, but parents or healthcare professionals can input asthma data from the study into the tool if desired.