title: The role of allergic rhinitis in the development of otitis media with effusion: effect on eustachian tube function.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea. yeo2park@yahoo.co.kr <yeo2park@yahoo.co.kr>
authors.forename: Seung Geun
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: Dong Choon
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young Gyu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Eun
authors.forename: Chang Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E