Table 2 Definitions of “Lifetime asthma” and “Diagnosed asthma” and prevalence estimates computed using data from INAsma survey (n = 6257) and from NHANES 2009 (n = 10348)

Lifetime asthma

Ever had asthma [3, 9, 14, 16, 17, 24, 51, 54, 66, 72–89]

14.5 [13.6-15.4]

n.a.

Wheeze in the last 12 months or ever had asthma [90]

28.1 [27.0-29.2]

n.a.

Had a condition which causes difficulty in breathing, with wheezing noises in the chest [67]

n.a.

n.a.

Self-report of dyspnea and nocturnal dyspnea associated with wheezing, or attacks of dyspnea with wheezing, or physician-diagnosed asthma [91]

n.a.

n.a.

Ever had wheeze [92]

n.a.

n.a.

Report of simultaneous dyspnea and wheezing in the absence of upper respiratory infections [93]

9.5 [8.8-10.2]

n.a.

Ever had wheeze and cough more than other (children) and breathlessness at rest or exercise [94]

n.a.

n.a.

Ever had asthma and/or one of the following: wheeze, cough or acute shortness of breath due to external factors [95]

n.a.

n.a.

Diagnosed asthma

Ever diagnosed with asthma by a physician or health professional [21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 52, 66, 85–88, 91, 92, 94, 96–118]

9.3 [8.5-10.2]*

13.4 [12.7-14.1]

Diagnosed with asthma by a physician or wheezing in the last 12 months, apart from cold or the flu [119]

20.1 [19.0-21.2]*

24.5 [23.6-25.3]^†

Diagnosed with asthma by a physician in the last 12 months [120, 121]

n.a.

n.a.

Ever had asthma and medical confirmation [14, 17, 38, 122]

9.3 [8.5-10.1]*

n.a.

Ever had asthma and use of medication for asthma [9]

8.2 [7.5-8.9]

n.a.

Ever diagnosed with asthma by a physician or health professional and Ever stayed over night in the hospital for wheezing [123]

2.5 [2.1-2.9]*

n.a.

Ever diagnosed with asthma by a physician or health professional and use of medication for asthma [47]

7.4 [6.7-8.1]*

1.1 [0.9-1.3]

History of asthma and physical examination and skin-prick tests and peak flow measurements [53]

n.a.

n.a.

History of asthma and physical signs of asthma (rhonchi or chest deformity) [124]

n.a.

n.a.

Diagnosed with asthma by a physician or symptoms (presence of wheezing, history of dry cough, recurrent wheeze, dyspnea/ recurrent difficulty in breathing or recurrent chest tightness) with clinical assessment [125]

n.a.

n.a.

Recurrent wheezing episodes, clinically confirmed by a physician, exactly a pediatrician or a pediatric pulmonologist [126]

n.a.

n.a.

Physician stated that (you) had asthma in the last 2 years, on 2 or more separate occasions had wheezing in the last 2 years, or had asthma prior to 2 years ago or on 2 or more separate occasions had wheezing prior to 2 years ago [39, 40]

n.a.

n.a.