The role of atopy in otitis media with effusion among primary school children: audiological investigation |
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Authors: | F Martines G Martinciglio E Martines D Bentivegna |
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Institution: | 1. Sezione di Otorinolaringoiatria, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze Cliniche (DINeC), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy 3. Via Autonomia Siciliana 70, 90143, Palermo, Italy 2. Sezione di Audiologia, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Legale (DIBiMed), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy
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Abstract: | The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of atopy in otitis media with effusion (OME) in children attending primary
school in western Sicily focusing on the audiological characteristics among atopic and non-atopic subjects suffering from
OME. A total of 310 children (5–6 years old) were screened by skin tests and divided into atopics (G1) and non-atopics (G2).
The samples were evaluated for OME by pneumatic otoscopy, tympanogram and acoustic reflex tests. The parameters considered
were: documented persistent middle ear effusion by otoscopic examination for a minimum of 3 months; presence of B or C tympanogram;
absence of ipsilateral acoustic reflex and a conductive hearing loss greater than 25 dB at any one of the frequencies from
250 Hz through 4 kHz. A total of 56 children (18.06%) resulted to be atopics while 254 were non-atopics. OME was identified
in 24 atopic children and in 16 non-atopic children for a total number of 40 children; the overall prevalence rate was 12.9%
(42.85% for G1 and 6.30% for G2). OME was bilateral in 28 children (70%), with a significative difference between G1 (79.17%)
and G2 (56.25%). The prevalence of B tympanogram was 70.59%, corresponding to 79.07% for G1 and 56% for G2. The mean air conduction
pure tone was, respectively, 31.97 dB for G1 and 29.8 dB for G2. The prevalence value of OME in atopic children, also supported
by the higher predominance of bilaterality, B tympanogram and hearing loss among this group, could suggest the important role
of allergy in the pathogenesis of OME. |
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