Asthma is under-recognized and undermanaged in the Malaysian university population: A comparison of findings from Malaysia against Singapore from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetic epidemiology study

Introduction:Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by chest tightness, cough- ing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.Results from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2021 have shown that asthma poses a notable burden on patients in Malaysia and Singapore (agestandardized prevalence rates of 2461.83 and 3352.79 per 100,000 individuals, and agestandardized disability-adjusted life year rates of 189.06 and 139.99 per 100,000 individuals, respectively).The current study aimed to compare the patterns of asthma symptoms and exacerbations between participants from Malaysia and Singapore, using data from the Singapore/ Malaysia Cross-Sectional Genetic Epidemiological Study (SMCGES). Methods:The SMCGES has been ongoing since August 2005 at the National University of Singapore; Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; and Sunway University.Data on asthma status, symptoms, and exacerbations were obtained via a standardized and validated protocol established by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.Participants who indicated having ever had asthma were classified as recognized asthma cases.