Bijanzadeh, MahdiMahesh, Padukudru ARamachandra, Nallur B2011-12-082011-12-082011-08Bijanzadeh Mahdi, Mahesh Padukudru A, Ramachandra Nallur B. An understanding of the genetic basis of asthma. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2011 Aug; 134(2): 149-161.http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/135742Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease in developed nations and its prevalence has increased in the world over the last 25 years. It is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Asthma is caused by multiple interacting genes, some having a protective effect and others contributing to the disease pathogenesis, with each gene having its own tendency to be influenced by the environment. This article reviews the current state of the genetics of asthma in six categories, viz. epidemiology, management, aetiology, family and twin studies, segregation and linkage studies, and candidate genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).enAetiologyasthmalinkageprevalenceSNPsAsthma --epidemiologyAsthma --geneticsCausalityDiseases in Twins --geneticsGene-Environment InteractionGenetic Linkage --geneticsGenetic Predisposition to Disease --geneticsHumansPolymorphism, Single Nucleotide --geneticsPrevalenceArticle