Asthma phenotypes: Definition, research, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about asthma phenotypesMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — By Suzy Davenport on June 29, 2022Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition. There are different types of asthma, also known as phenotypes or endotypes. Researchers now consider the term asthma to be an umbrella diagnosis for several diseases. Each of these conditions has different and distinctive mechanistic pathways, or endotypes, as well as variable clinical presentations, or phenotypes. Some phenotypes include allergic asthma, late-onset asthma, and exercise-induced asthma. In this article, we discuss what asthma phenotypes are, provide some examples of the different types, and discuss what this means in terms of understanding this condition. What are asthma phenotypes Although all people with asthma share similar symptoms and potential lung complications, every case is very different and can range from mild to severe. Research from 2018 states that our previous understanding was that asthma was mostly an allergy-induced or atopic disease. However, there has been a recent move toward recognizing the different types of asthma according to how they present. These different variations of asthma are also known as phenotypes. This development in the understanding of asthma can further ensure people receive the correct treatment for their particular type. Endotype vs phenotype Endotype is another term a person may come across when looking into asthma phenotypes. Endotype refers to the mechanistic pathway leading to the condition. In other words, it is the biological process that causes the particular phenotype a person has. Conversely, phenotype refers to how asthma presents within an individual. What are the different types There are various types of asthma. Below, we provide a breakdown and explain some of the different phenotypes and endotypes: Phenotypes Some phenotypes of asthma include: Allergic asthma This is a common form of asthma. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) says it may occur in 40–50% of people with the condition. It occurs as a response to allergies, such as pollen and dust. As this is a common phenotype, a person with this type of asthma will be most likely to receive a quick and simple diagnosis. A 2020 study discovered that allergic asthma often presents in early childhood. Learn more about allergic asthma. Aspirin-related asthma This phenotype of asthma occurs in a person after they take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This asthma type comes under the umbrella term “aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.” As well as asthma, this may also include allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. A 2015 study suggests that a person with this phenotype of asthma may not have their disease under control. This is because people get less treatment for it and often do not receive a diagnosis. The authors advise these individuals to seek regular care so they can help properly manage their condition. Late-onset asthma Late-onset asthma, or adult-onset asthma, is where a person develops the condition during adulthood. Females are more likely to develop the condition after the age of 20 years. There are a variety of possible causes of late-onset asthma, including obesity, allergies, hormonal changes, and illnesses. Exercise-induced asthma A person with this phenotype of asthma will experience flare-ups during or after exercising. It occurs in 40–90% of people with asthma. This is because if a person with asthma exercises to a certain level, this may be the cause of a flare-up. Someone with this type of asthma may need to use their inhaler for a short time before exercising to try and avoid these asthma attacks. Learn more about exercise-induced asthma. Endotypes Endotypes differ according to the affected cells or molecules. Some examples of endotypes include: Eosinophilic asthma Eosinophilic asthma is often a severe and persistent type of asthma. It usually occurs due to inflammation in the airway, resulting in a buildup of mucus and fluid. It is common in individuals with allergies. It is most commonly observable in adults who develop asthma later in life. However, sometimes children can develop this type. The treatment for this endotype is usually with inhaled corticosteroids. More severe cases may be treatable with biologic agents such as dupilumab or mepolizumab. Neutrophilic asthma This is another form of severe and persistent asthma that causes inflammation in the airways. However, research into this endotype is less forthcoming than eosinophilic asthma. This is commonly observable in adults who have bacteria in their respiratory tract. However, it does not usually respond well to corticosteroid treatment. What does this mean for the understanding of asthma Knowledge of these different phenotypes and endotypes of asthma means that people can get more appropriate treatment for the specific form of the condition they have. For example, corticosteroid treatment is usually effective for eosinophilic asthma but not for neutrophilic. If doctors know which type a person has, they can treat it accordingly. However, the different phenotypes may be difficult for a doctor to diagnose. Additionally, someone may exhibit symptoms of more than one asthma phenotype. The AAAAI states that further research needs to take place into asthma phenotypes. Summary An asthma phenotype refers to the different types of asthma, ranging from allergic asthma to exercise-induced asthma. If a person receives a diagnosis of a specific phenotype, this can make treatment easier. However, these phenotypes may be difficult to diagnose. That said, knowledge of the different phenotypes can lead to people receiving more optimized treatments for their condition. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022AsthmaRespiratory 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Adult onset asthma. (n.d.). https://asthmaandallergies.org/asthma-allergies/adult-onset-asthma/Asthma is a disease of different phenotypes. (2019). https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Asthma/Asthma-is-a-disease-of-different-phenotypesBochenek, G., et al. (2015). Factors associated with asthma control in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611115000785Castro, M., et al. (2021). Efficacy and safety of fevipiprant in patients with uncontrolled asthma: Two replicate, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (ZEAL-1 and ZEAL-2). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00127-9/fulltextGerow, M., et al. (2020). Exercise induced asthma. https://europepmc.org/article/NBK/nbk557554Kuruvilla, M. E., et al. (2019). Understanding the asthma phenotypes, endotypes, and mechanisms of disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6411459/Overview asthma. (2021). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/Pakkasela, J., et al. (2020). Age-specific incidence of allergic and non-allergic asthma. https://bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-019-1040-2Pembrey, L., et al. (2018). Understanding asthma phenotypes: The World Asthma Phenotypes (WASP) international collaboration. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104297/Ray, A., et al. (2017). Neutrophilic inflammation in asthma and association with disease severity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5711587/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — By Suzy Davenport on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the treatments for asthma?Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI Asthma is a chronic lung condition that leads to episodes when a person’s airways become obstructed, and they experience severe breathlessness. There…READ MOREWhat are the stages of asthma? There are four main stages of asthma. The symptoms of each vary in severity, and the treatments at each stage are different. Learn more here. READ MOREA brief history of asthmaMedically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI Asthma is far from a new disease, and people have had different ways of understanding its causes across the course of history. Researchers expect the…READ MORECan asthma be cured?Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Asthma is a chronic condition, which means that it has no cure. However, people with asthma can manage it effectively and lead normal, fulfilling…READ MORECan asthma cause fatigue?Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP People with asthma may experience tiredness due to a range of factors, including sleep disruption, muscle strain, and decreased blood oxygen levels.READ MORE