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Worldwide, approximately 300 million people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds have asthma. 296 T he worldwide prevalence of asthma symptoms ranges from 1 to 18% of the population with a high prevalence in some European countries (United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia). 296 International differences in asthma symptom prevalence appears to be decreasing in recent years, especially in adolescents. 297 The World Health Organisation has estimated that 15 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) are lost annually from asthma, representing 1% of the global disease burden. Annual worldwide deaths from asthma have been estimated at 250,000. The death rate does not appear to be correlated with asthma prevalence. 296 National and international guidance for the management of asthma already exists. 296,298 T his guidance focuses on the treatment of patients with near-fatal asthma and …