Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42645813›Full record

ReviewInfectious disease reports2026

Global Burden of Upper Airway Infections: Epidemiology, Current Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Pierre Guarino, Francesco Chiari, Luigi La Via, Andrea Marino, Jerome Rene Lechien, Mario Lentini, Salvatore Lavalle, Giuseppe Nunnari, Salvatore Maira, Carmelo Giancarlo Botto and 2 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Infectious disease reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Pierre GuarinoOtolaryngology Head and Neck Unit-"Santo Spirito" Hospital, 65124 Pescara, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3796-9483
Francesco ChiariOtolaryngology Head and Neck Unit-"Santo Spirito" Hospital, 65124 Pescara, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5600-3938
Luigi La ViaDepartment of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital Policlinico-San Marco, 24046 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2156-7554
Andrea MarinoUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, ARNAS Garibaldi Hospital, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5650-6911
Jerome Rene LechienResearch Study Group of the Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), 75000 Paris, France.ORCID 0000-0002-0845-0845
Mario LentiniDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore", 94100 Enna, Italy.ORCID 0009-0004-8127-5045
Salvatore LavalleDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore", 94100 Enna, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-5556-6259
Giuseppe NunnariUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, ARNAS Garibaldi Hospital, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8113-8452
Salvatore MairaDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore", 94100 Enna, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-9740-2869
Carmelo Giancarlo BottoDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore", 94100 Enna, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-0023-6455
Salvatore FerlitoDepartment of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technology G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7136-9698
Antonino ManiaciResearch Study Group of the Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), 75000 Paris, France.ORCID 0000-0002-1251-0185

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundUpper airway tract infections (UATIs) are among the most common infectious diseases worldwide, accounting for an estimated 12.8 billion episodes annually and more than 8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Despite their generally self-limiting nature, their cumulative clinical, socioeconomic, and public health burden remains substantial, particularly in children, older adults, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

methodsWe performed a structured narrative review of the peer-reviewed literature and reports from major international health organizations to summarize the current evidence on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical impact, socioeconomic burden, prevention strategies, and future challenges associated with UATIs. Particular attention was given to the influence of antimicrobial resistance, vaccination policies, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

resultsUATIs remain one of the leading causes of healthcare utilization worldwide. Children experience the highest incidence, averaging 6-8 episodes annually, whereas vulnerable populations are at increased risk of complications and hospitalization. Marked geographical disparities persist, with LMICs experiencing a disproportionate burden due to limited healthcare access, lower vaccination coverage, and higher complication rates. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing continues to accelerate antimicrobial resistance, while the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly altered the epidemiology of respiratory infections and demonstrated the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Advances in vaccination, antimicrobial stewardship, rapid diagnostics, and novel therapeutic strategies offer promising opportunities to reduce disease burden.

conclusionsReducing the global burden of UATIs requires integrated public health strategies combining equitable vaccine access, effective antimicrobial stewardship, strengthened healthcare systems, and sustained surveillance. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic provide a unique opportunity to improve preparedness for future respiratory outbreaks while addressing persistent regional inequalities in prevention and care.

Indexed as

antimicrobial resistanceCOVID-19global healthpublic healthupper respiratory infectionsvaccination

Identifiers

PMID42645813
PMCPMC13512024

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.