The role of allergic rhinitis in the development of otitis media with effusion: effect on eustachian tube function.
OBJECTIVE
The pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME) is considered multifactorial, with viral upper respiratory tract infection and eustachian tube dysfunction. Allergy may be related to the pathogenesis of OME or to another etiological factor. We investigated the role of allergic rhinitis (AR) in children with OME and evaluated eustachian tube function in patients with AR.


METHODS
We prospectively analyzed the prevalence of AR, serum eosinophil count, and serum total IgE concentrations in 123 children with OME and in 141 controls. IgE concentration in middle ear effusion was compared in children with OME with and without AR, and eustachian tube function after a nasal provocation test was compared between patients with AR and controls.


RESULTS
The prevalence of AR in children with OME (28.4%) and control subjects (24.1%) did not differ significantly. These 2 groups also showed no differences in total eosinophil count and serum and middle ear effusion IgE concentration. Abnormalities in eustachian tube function were the same in patients with AR and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Allergic rhinitis may not be related to the development of OME in children.
Yeo
Seung Geun
SG
Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea. yeo2park@yahoo.co.kr <yeo2park@yahoo.co.kr>
Park
Dong Choon
DC
Eun
Young Gyu
YG
Cha
Chang Il
CI
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests
D007073:Immunoglobulin E