PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A Bourdin
AU  - D Gras
AU  - I Vachier
AU  - P Chanez
TI  - Upper airway · 1: Allergic rhinitis and asthma: united disease through epithelial cells
AID  - 10.1136/thx.2008.112862
DP  - 2009 Nov 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 999--1004
VI  - 64
IP  - 11
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/64/11/999.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/64/11/999.full
SO  - Thorax2009 Nov 01; 64
AB  - The relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma is now established, and most of the clinical, epidemiological and biological data recommend integrated management. Epithelial cells represent the first barrier of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and thus are logical targets for a comprehensive integrated therapeutic approach. This review discusses rhinosinusitis as a co-morbid condition, a precipitating or triggering condition, and an epiphenomenon as an integrated part of the disease. A better understanding and a more pragmatic method of diagnosis and management is needed using cost-effective long-term strategies.