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Allergic rhinitis: past, present and the future.
R J Salib1, A Drake-Lee, P H Howarth
1Department of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK. rjs4@soton.ac.uk
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|July 23, 2003
Summary
Allergic rhinitis, a common global condition, may involve altered upper airway epithelial function, similar to asthma. Further research is needed to understand this chronic inflammatory disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis affects 10-25% globally, causing significant morbidity and economic impact.
- It is an upper airway inflammatory disorder, but inflammation alone doesn't explain chronicity.
- The bronchial epithelium's role in asthma suggests a similar function for the upper airway epithelium in allergic rhinitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on allergic rhinitis.
- To explore the potential role of the upper airway epithelium in the disease.
- To identify future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
- Interpretation of past and current findings.
- Identification of knowledge gaps.
Main Results:
- Allergic rhinitis is a widespread, impactful health issue.
- The chronic nature of allergic rhinitis may involve more than just inflammation.
- Evidence from asthma suggests epithelial dysfunction could be a key factor.
Conclusions:
- The upper airway epithelium warrants investigation for its role in allergic rhinitis.
- Altered epithelial phenotype may contribute to the chronic nature of the disease.
- Future research should focus on epithelial function in allergic rhinitis pathogenesis.