This initiative stems from the need to address conditions such as chronic rhinitis and sinusitis in a coordinated manner, as they often present mixed anatomical and immunological causes. The unit, pioneering in its approach, aims to prevent patients from having to undergo multiple consultations to obtain an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
“"There is a large volume of patients who, until now, had to make several visits to find the cause and the most appropriate treatment. In many cases, the cause of the problem responds to an anatomical, functional, but also immunological problem."
The new unit is led by Dr. Ricardo Bartel, a specialist in rhinology and endoscopic sinonasal surgery, and Dr. Laia Ferré, a medical specialist in Allergology. Their goal is to reduce diagnostic time and improve therapeutic success, decreasing the risk of untreated rhinitis evolving into asthma or exacerbating existing asthma.
According to data from the Societat Catalana d'Al·lèrgia i Immunologia Clínica, approximately 25% of the population suffers from rhinitis, with or without allergic conjunctivitis, and up to 12% have allergic asthma. The average age of those affected by rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma is 30 and 29 years, respectively, with a higher prevalence in women.
The unit offers a wide range of services, including the study of different types of rhinitis, the treatment and monitoring of acute and chronic sinusitis, and high-resolution diagnostic tests such as prick tests and blood analyses. This multidisciplinary approach allows determining whether the patient needs pharmacological control, personalized vaccines, or, in specific cases, functional surgery.
“"It not only focuses on diagnosis but on long-term solutions to improve the patient's quality of life."
The establishment of this unit is particularly relevant in a context where a significant increase in pollen concentration is expected during the spring of 2026, according to forecasts from the Xarxa Aerobiològica de Catalunya (XAC) of the ICTA-UAB. Winter rains have led to late flowering but with high pollen concentrations, which could prolong allergic symptoms.
