American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
Volume 28, Issue 3 , Pages 148-152, May 2007

The role of allergic rhinitis in the development of otitis media with effusion: effect on eustachian tube function

  • Seung Geun Yeo, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, KyungHee University, #1 Hoegi-dong, dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-702, South Korea. Tel.: +82 2 958 8474; fax: +82 2 958 8470.
    • ,
  • Dong Choon Park, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Catholic University, Suwon, South Korea
    • ,
  • Young Gyu Eun, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea
    • ,
  • Chang Il Cha, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea

Received 12 May 2006

Abstract 

Purpose

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.

Materials and 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.

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PII: S0196-0709(06)00161-X

doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2006.07.011

American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
Volume 28, Issue 3 , Pages 148-152, May 2007

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