OBJECTIVES. The aim of this paper is to review the united airway concept.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. We searched Pubmed, Google, Google Scholar and Proquest Central database of Kırıkkale University.
RESULTS. Upper and lower airways are thought as a morphological and functional unit. There is a link between rhinitis and asthma. Over 80% of asthmatics have rhinitis and 10-40% of rhinitis patients have asthma. Rhinosinusitis is related to asthma in 34-50% of the patients. The relationship between rhinosinusitis and asthma may include “nasobronchial reflex, pharyngobronchial reflex, inhalation of dry, cold air and environmental pollutants inhalation”.
CONCLUSION. The united airway concept suggests that upper and lower airways are thought as a morphological and functional unit. It has been commonly accepted in recent years. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a risk factor for asthma; and Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma (ARIA) suggest bronchial involvement in AR patients.
