title: Asymptomatic food hypersensitivity prevalence in patients with eczematous external otitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between food hypersensitivity and eczematous external otitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 27 patients with eczematous external otitis and 16 healthy volunteer were included. The existence of food hypersensitivity was defined by positive epicutaneous prick test and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Food allergy test was positive in 13 (48.1%) out of 27 cases with eczematous external otitis, and it was positive in 2 (12.5%) out of 16 cases in control group. The difference between 2 groups was statistically significant (P =.02). Specific IgE seropositivity (51.9%) was high in the patients with eczematous external otitis compared with the control group (12.5%) (P =.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Food hypersensitivity may be a factor, which should be considered in eczematous external otitis patients. Patients suffering from eczematous external otitis symptoms should be evaluated for food hypersensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Süleyman Demirel University School of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey. myariktas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yariktas
authors.forename: Fehmi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doner
authors.forename: Harun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dogru
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demirci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E