Efficacy of allergy immunotherapy as a treatment for patients with chronic otitis media with effusion

SummaryObjectiveControversy persists over the significance of allergy as it might relate to chronic middle-ear disease as no controlled study of the efficacy of allergy immunotherapy has been published. The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate the atopic status of patients with intractable chronic otitis media with effusion or drainage from their middle ear and (2) to determine in this select population the efficacy of specific allergy immunotherapy in preventing or limiting the duration of their chronic middle-ear disease.MethodsThis was a prospective, cohort study of patients cared for in a private community practice. History, examination, audiogram, tympanometry and recurrence of effusion/infection were recorded on 89 patients (52 children <15 years old, 37 adults) referred with (1) effusion found to warrant myringotomy and ventilation tubes, or (2) chronic drainage from a perforation or tube. All were evaluated for allergy by intradermal skin testing according to criteria of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. A control cohort of 21 patients who refused therapy was included. Intervention consisted of immunotherapy for dust, pollen, and molds. Recurrence or persistence of fluid or drainage following 2–8 years of therapy was compared to the patient's pretreatment status.ResultsAll 89 OME patients proved to be atopic. Most were allergic to dust (94%), animals (44%) and molds (88%) while 9% were allergic only to seasonal pollens. Associated allergic diseases included asthma (21%) and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis (63%). Otitis was the sole symptom among 37%. Immunotherapy provided complete resolution of effusion or drainage in 85% of 127 ears.ConclusionIntradermal testing proved all 89 patients with intractable middle-ear disease in this study who presented with chronic effusion or chronic draining perforations or tubes to be atopic. Specific allergy immunotherapy significantly improved 5.5% and completely resolved 85% of chronic otitis media with effusion in these ears. None of the controls resolved spontaneously (p < 0.001). This supports the hypothesis that in many, otitis media with effusion is an immune mediated allergic disease and suggests that these patients deserve consideration for aggressive evaluation and allergy treatment, as most respond to immunotherapy.