The united allergic airway: connections between allergic rhinitis, asthma, and chronic sinusitis

Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2012 May-Jun;26(3):187-90. doi: 10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3762.

Abstract

Background: The united allergic airway is a theory that connects allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis, and asthma, in which seemingly disparate diseases, instead of being thought of separately, are instead viewed as arising from a common atopic entity.

Objective: This article describes patients with such diseases; explores ideas suggesting a unified pathogenesis; elucidates the various treatment modalities available, emphasizing nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines; and provides an update of the literature.

Methods: A literature review was conducted.

Conclusion: The aggregation of research suggests that AR, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis are linked by the united allergic airway, a notion that encompasses commonalities in pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Models, Immunological
  • Respiratory System / immunology*
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / drug therapy
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / immunology*
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / drug therapy
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / immunology*
  • Sinusitis / drug therapy
  • Sinusitis / immunology*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Histamine Antagonists