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Allergy is recognized as a common player in recurrent otitis
media (ROM).1 ROM
can be triggered by allergy-related eustachian tube dysfunction,
whereby allergy (often in the form of allergic rhinitis) causes
inflammation of the tissues lining the eustachian tube. This
inflammation hampers fluid drainage and creates an ideal environment
for bacterial growth, which leads to infection, and the presentation
of recurrent acute otitis media.
The prevalence of recurrent otitis media has grown steadily
over the years, especially among infants—and researchers
see a direct link to allergy.2 In
1997, investigators at the University of Rochester examined
national disease data and determined that between 1981 and
1988, recurrent otitis media in preschoolers increased in prevalence
from 18.7% to 26%.2 In
infants under 1 year of age, prevalence nearly doubled, jumping
from 5.6% in 1981 to 10.3% in 1988. The authors attribute this
increase to the expanded use of day care and an increased prevalence
in childhood allergy.2
OM facts and figures
-
Otitis media accounts for approximately 20 million physician
office visits annually3
-
Up to 90% of children have at least one documented case
of middle ear effusion within the first 2 years of life3
-
Otitis media due to middle ear inflammation is the most
frequent diagnosis for children under the age of 154
- As many as 50% of children older than 3 years with chronic
otitis media have confirmed allergic rhinitis5
Why you should know the true cause
When acute
OM recurs, differentiating between allergic and non-allergic
etiologies can change your management approach.1 While
medical treatments are mostly the same for both atopic and
non-atopic acute OM, confirmed knowledge of underlying atopy
allows the incorporation of avoidance measures and other allergy-based
therapies (such as avoidance and non-sedating antihistamines).1,5 Click
here to
learn how specific IgE testing may help you manage
allergy-based ROM.
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