Systematic Review of Hyaluronic Acid Effects on Upper Aero-Digestive Tract

Hyaluronic Acid: Perspectives in Upper Aero-Digestive Tract. A Systematic Review

Article specifications

This systematic review was published in 2015 in PLOS One Journal (IF 2015:2.806) by Italian and Spanish specialist. The aim of this work was to review the published literature regarding all the potential therapeutic effects of SH in the chronic inflammatory disease of UADT. Relevant published studies were searched in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Ovid using keywords (“sodium hyaluronate” and “upper airways”) or Medical Subject Headings. At the end of our selection process, 16 publications have been included. 6 of them in the post-operative period of nasal-sinus surgery, 2 of them in pediatric patients affected by recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, 4 of them in reducing symptoms and preventing exacerbations of chronic upper airways in adult population, 4 of them in patients with chronic inflammatory disease of UADT, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

 

Results

Data deriving from the present review of 16 clinical studies demonstrate that, due to its positive action on tissue repair and wound healing, topical administration of SH plays a pivot role in the postoperative phase of patients undergoing FESS, and positive results are generally observed in all the patients suffering from UADT, with a significant improvement of their quality of life. The strong connection between particle diameter and site of the high concentration of nebulized particles in the upper aero-digestive tract suggests that it should be mandatory to carefully chose the nebulizer device to get better therapeutic results.