The findings were unveiled at a British Thoracic Society meeting.

Professor Chung, lead author of the research said: "These findings help expose some of the key risk factors for asthma sufferers and will be especially useful for those with severe asthma.

Increase in asthma

"It is important that asthmatics live their lives to the full.

"We hope this research will help improve the management of their condition and patients may plan with their asthma nurse or doctors how best to manage, or in some circumstances, avoid certain situations which may trigger an asthma attack."

Dr John Harvey, Chairman of the British Thoracic Society (BTS), said: "This is useful research which demonstrates how important it is for asthmatics, whether their condition is severe or mild, to plan with their carers for the effects of certain situations.

"We hope that research and investment will continue into the causes and effects of severe asthma attacks in order to help the millions of sufferers in the UK."

Recent statistics from the BTS, show that just over one in 10 adults and 20% of children have doctor-diagnosed asthma.

Asthma levels in the UK have risen 14% in males and 165% in females between the 1980s and 1990s.

The research was carried out by Professor Chung, from the National Heart And Lung Institure, Professor Jon Ayres, from the University of Warwick, and Professor Ala Szczepura, from Imperial College, London.