Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: The United Airways Disease

Abstract

Interactions between the upper and lower airways have been well investigated in the past 30 years. The nasal and bronchial mucosa share similarities, in addition to their functional interaction. At least 80% of asthmatics have rhinitis and up to 40% of patients with rhinitis have asthma proposing the concept of ‘one airway one disease’ although there is still some differences between rhinitis and asthma.1