ARIA - Italy from guidelines to practice: the role of general practitioners in allergic rhinitis and asthma management

This paper outlines the critical role of General Practitioners (GPs) in managing allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma, two prevalent chronic respiratory diseases characterized by immune-mediated airway inflammation. AR and asthma frequently coexist, affecting an increasing portion of the global population and imposing substantial health and socioeconomic burdens. The paper highlights that GPs are often the first point of contact for patients and are uniquely positioned to ensure early diagnosis, ongoing care, and adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines. It emphasizes the necessity of integrated, multidisciplinary approaches, including collaboration with specialists and pharmacists, to enhance patient outcomes and optimize healthcare resources. Challenges such as fragmented care, regional disparities in healthcare access, and patient self-medication are discussed, underscoring the need for structured healthcare pathways and the more effective use of diagnostic tools. The article also emphasizes the growing importance of digital health technologies, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence in supporting GPs, improving adherence monitoring, and personalizing patient management. Ultimately, empowering GPs through education, resource allocation, and stronger multidisciplinary networks is essential to improve the management of AR and asthma, mitigating their impact on patients’ quality of life, and ensuring better sustainability of care.