[Asthma and chronic diseases of the upper respiratory airway]

Abstract

There is enough evidence of an epidemiological, etiological and physiopathological link between chronic rhinitis (usually allergic) and asthma, and also between chronic sinusitis (generally bacterial) and this disease. Allergic inflammation of nasal mucosa could favor the development of chronic sinusitis. Indeed, some authors believe that the term "rhinosinusitis" should be used as nasal and sinus mucosa are one and the same thing. Some studies have demonstrated that treatment of chronic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis produces a benefit in the evolution of asthma when both diseases co-occur in the same patient, which suggests a therapeutic link. However, there is insufficient evidence that adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy worsen the evolution of asthma. When managing the asthmatic child, physicians should not forget to pay attention to the upper respiratory tract, evaluating and treating diseases in this area if necessary, as such therapeutic measures will also benefit asthma control.