title: Etiology of otitis media with effusion: antihistamines--decongestants.
abstract: In an attempt to find a causative factor for the increased incidence of otitis media with effusion, a detailed study of 50 cases was conducted. This study included 50 cases of nonpurulent otitis media with effusion requiring ventilating tubes without tonsilloadenoid pathology. A study of these cases revealed an interesting pattern which suggests that antihistamines and decongestants may be causative or precipitating factors in the etiology of otitis media with effusion. A pilot study on the effects of these drugs on mucociliary activity was conducted and revealed further evidence that antihistamines and decongestants interfere with normal mucociliary activity which probably is a factor in abnormal Eustachian tube physiology.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D010627:Phenethylamines