Ep. 287 Unified Airway: Unified Biology, Unified Inflammation with Dr. Cedric "Jamie" Rutland

Can viewing the airway as one connected system change the future of respiratory care and improve patient outcomes? On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, pulmonary and critical care medicine physician, joins Dr. Basil Kahwash to discuss the unified airway hypothesis and its implications for clinical care. They explore how upper and lower airway inflammation are closely linked, and why multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for treating the whole patient. --- Get the BackTable app https://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 05:06 - Understanding the Unified Airway 14:27 - Decoding Asthma Biomarkers 20:34 - Endotyping in Clinical Practice 26:36 - Addressing Asthma Symptom and “Outgrowing” Asthma 32:13 - Strategies for Precision Biologics 34:23 - Navigating Insurance and Treatment Indications 35:36 - Treating the Whole Patient and Breaking Down Specialty Silos 46:07 - Effective Patient Communication 51:36 - Asthma Lightning Round 57:33 - Biologics and Airway Remodeling 1:00:00 - Closing Thoughts --- More about this episode The conversation covers the biology of type II inflammation, the use of biomarkers and biologics for more personalized treatment, and practical strategies for overcoming insurance barriers and specialty silos. Dr. Rutland shares insights on patient communication, the limitations of current diagnostics, and the impact of chronic inflammation on systemic disease. The episode highlights the need for ENT, allergy, and pulmonology teams to work together and embrace a connected view of airway disease to achieve better patient outcomes. --- Resources Dr. Jamie Rutland - https://www.lung.org/media/meet-our-experts/cedric-jamie-rutland-md --- BackTable ENT & Allergy is the go-to podcast for otolaryngologists, allergists, and head and neck surgeons. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app