United Airway Disease: An Evolving Concept? A Scoping Review of the Modern Literature on Integrated Treatment Approaches

TL;DR

This review explores treatment approaches that address both upper and lower airway diseases together, finding that integrated methods like biological therapies and nasal irrigation are effective and safe.

Contribution

The paper provides a scoping review of modern literature on integrated treatment approaches for united airway disease.

Findings

Biological treatments like dupilumab and non-biological methods are effective for upper and lower airway diseases.

Integrated approaches show a good safety profile and improve patient outcomes.

The review highlights the importance of considering combined treatment strategies for airway diseases.

Abstract

Background: This scoping review screens modern literature in search of effective treatment approaches that target both upper and lower airway diseases. Methods: After the establishment of a research protocol, 227 potential articles were obtained through a logged search method. These were screened and narrowed down to 26 included articles. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form and were analyzed thematically and analytically. Results: The main integrated treatment approaches are biological (dupilumab was the most mentioned molecule) and non-biological (allergen immunotherapy, nasal saline irrigation, and endoscopic polypectomy). Data suggest that these approaches are effective in improving upper and lower airway outcomes and showcase a good safety profile. Conclusions: Patients with upper and lower airway diseases should benefit from integrated treatment approaches when possible.

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