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Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, estimated to affect 334 million people for their entire lives (1). Although it has a higher prevalence in developed countries, its occurrence in resource-poor countries is increasing (2).
Asthma is a complex, heterogeneous condition with variable degrees of airway inflammation and remodeling and is associated with gene–environment interactions. Many patients with asthma have comorbidities such as obesity and metabolic dysfunction, which enhance disease progression and make treatment more difficult. The factors that determine these associations are not well known.
Despite optimal pharmacological therapy, many patients with asthma remain symptomatic, and this has led to studies of asthma phenotypes and novel biomarkers to aid precision therapy. The recent introduction of biologic therapies for the management of severe asthma has allowed a more personalized approach to asthma management. Still, which patient should receive which biologic remains undetermined.
The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM) is dedicating a special issue to original papers and reviews on topics in both adult and pediatric asthma. This issue will coincide with the meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) in February 2019.
With an impact factor of 15.24, AJRCCM is positioned to help raise awareness of the current progress and continuing needs in asthma research. Thus, we are now inviting asthma scientists to submit their original papers for consideration in this focused issue. We are pleased to receive submissions involving more basic translational research, epidemiological research, and clinical trials.
All submissions are due by October 1, 2018, should conform to the Journal’s formatting requirements, and should have a cover letter mentioning the special asthma-themed issue. Authors with questions should contact Marc Bendian at [email protected].
| 1. | Vos T, Flaxman AD, Naghavi M, Lozano R, Michaud C, Ezzati M, et al. Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet 2012;380:2163–2196. [Published erratum appears in Lancet 381:628.] |
| 2. | Papi A, Brightling C, Pedersen SE, Reddel HK. Asthma. Lancet 2018;391:783–800. |
