Different genetic changes may increase one’s likelihood of developing asthma, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. By discovering these variants, researchers may be able to improve current treatments for patients with the disorder.

In order to better understand the susceptibility of this disorder, researchers examined DNA samples from a total of 26,000 people who had or were free of asthma. The team then analyzed seven parts of the DNA samples that were linked to asthma symptoms.

As a result of this study, the team suggested that allergies may be a side effect of having asthma as opposed to a primary cause of the disease. Also, this trial showed that identifying different variants may lead to improved therapies for asthma sufferers.

Miriam Moffatt, co-author of the trial, stated that these findings suggest that “allergies may develop as a result of [genetic] defects of the lining of the airways in asthma.” She concluded that “this does not mean that allergies are not important, but it does mean that concentrating therapies only on allergy will now effectively treat the whole disease.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2008, an estimated 16.4 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with asthma.