title: Eustachian tube dysfunction in allergic rhinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess eustachian tube function in patients with allergic rhinitis and compare them with a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tympanometry was performed in 130 patients (260 ears), divided into 2 groups: 80 cases with allergic rhinitis and 50 healthy controls. Cases underwent skin hypersensitivity tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cases, age 21.1 +/- 14.9; Controls, age 23.9 +/- 15.6. Most frequent skin hypersensitivity: Dermatophagoides pt (62%), Zea Maiz (44%), and Cockroach (37%). Tympanometry of cases showed negative values of peak tympanometric pressure in both children and adults (P < or = 0.05). Among children under 11 years of age, 15.5% tympanograms showed abnormal curves (13% C curves and 3% B curves); among the control group only normal curves were found (type A).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allergic rhinitis patients have a higher risk of eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly during childhood. Tympanometry is a noninvasive, readily available procedure that may be useful in these patients to prevent chronic middle-ear disease.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Speciality Hospital No 71, Social Security Mexican Institute, Torreón, Coahuila, México. veromart@internetual.com.mx
authors.forename: Juan Gerardo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lazo-Sáenz
authors.forename: Armando Alejando
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Galván-Aguilera
authors.forename: Verónica Araceli
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Martínez-Ordaz
authors.forename: Víctor Manuel
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Velasco-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nieves-Rentería
authors.forename: Cuauhtémoc
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rincón-Castañeda
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors