Investigation of gastric pepsinogen in middle ear fluid of children with glue ear.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of pepsinogen in middle ear effusion (MEE) supports the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and otitis media with effusion (OME). Measurement of pepsin/pepsinogen can be considered as a simple and reliable method for assesment of reflux in children. However, further research is needed to establish a definite association between GER and OME before beginning antireflux treatment in the management of MEE.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between GER and chronic OME, and to confirm the presence of gastric enzyme in the MEE of children with OME.


METHODS
This was a prospective study. MEE and blood samples were obtained from 42 children undergoing tympanostomy tube placement. Total pepsinogen concentrations of effusions and serum samples were measured with a commercial ELISA using a human pepsinogen I specific antibody. Albumin levels of effusions and serum samples were also measured with ELISA for comparison with pepsinogen levels.


RESULTS
Measurable pepsinogen was present in all MEEs from patients, with levels higher than the serum values. The difference between the levels of pepsinogen measured in MEE and serum was statistically significant (p < 0.01), but albumin levels were higher in serum than in MEE and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01).
Toros
Sema Zer
SZ
Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey. semazertoros@yahoo.com
Toros
Ahmet Burak
AB
Ozel
Leyla
L
Çatal
Banu Er
BE
Kiniş
Vefa
V
Zorlu
Aylin
A
Habeşoğlu
Tülay Erden
TE
Naiboğlu
Bariş
B
Egeli
Erol
E
D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D020116:Pepsinogen A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
D000418:Albumins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D020116:Pepsinogen A