Nasal Allergy and Otitis Media A real correlation?
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2014, Vol 14, Issue 1
Abstract
Objectives: Te correlation between middle ear pathology and nasal allergy has been debated for almost 30 years. Tis study aimed to evaluate the relationship between otitis media with effusion (OME) and persistent allergic rhinitis symptoms versus intermittent rhinitis in children. Methods: Te study included 100 atopic children (52 boys, 48 girls) aged 5‒9 years with otological symptoms who were patients of the University of Siena Hospital, Italy. Ear, nose and throat evaluations, tympanometry, skin prick tests (SPTs), mucociliary transport time (MCTt) and Eustachian tube function tests were performed. Results: Te SPTs revealed 50 children sensitised to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 34 to grass pollen and 16 to Parietaria. Of all patients, mild symptoms were intermittent in 19 children and persistent in 18; moderate/severe symptoms were intermittent in 22 and persistent in 41. Tubal dysfunction was present in 25 children, whereas middle ear effusion was present in 45 children undergoing myringotomy. Te MCTt was slower in the persistent group (21 ± 2 mins) versus the intermittent group (16 ± 2 mins) with a signifcant difference (P <0.01). Mean eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) values in the middle ear effusions of children who had undergone myringotomy were 251 ± 175.2 μg/L, and mean ECP blood values were 25.5 ± 16.3 μg/L, with signifcant differences (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Tere was a signifcant association between OME, delayed MCTt, ECP values in middle ear effusion and persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Tese results suggest a direct involvement of the middle ear mucosa as a target organ in persistent forms.
Authors and Affiliations
Desiderio Passali| Università di Siena, Siena, Italy, Giulio C. Passali| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, Maria Lauriello| Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy, Antonio Romano| Università di Siena, Siena, Italy, Luisa Bellussi| Università di Siena, Siena, Italy, Francesco M. Passali| Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Keywords
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