The correlation between middle ear pathology due to Eustachian tube dysfunction and nasal allergy has been a topic of debate since long. Studies of the pathogenesis of otitis media have identified interactions among infection, allergic reactions and Eustachian tube dysfunction. AIMS- The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Eustachian tube dysfunction and nasal allergy and to evaluate the efficacy of oral steroids and intranasal steroidal spray on Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The patients were diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of allergic rhinitis. A total of 50 patients having moderate/severe symptoms who had not taken any treatment for allergic rhinitis in the past 6 weeks with deranged middle ear function were included in the study. Group I patients were given Prednisolone, 30 mg once daily for 10 days in tapering dose along with intranasal steroid spray for 6 weeks. Group II patients were given only intranasal steroid spray for 6 weeks. Impedance audiometry was repeated at the end of 6 weeks and results were statistically analyzed.

This study demonstrated the outcome of systemic steroids and intranasal steroidal spray in the treatment of middle ear dysfunction. In our study impedance audiometry was done at the start of study and showed type B tympanogram in 36% ears in group I and 21% in group II and type C tympanogram in 60% in group I and 50% in group II. Impedance audiometry was repeated at 10 days of treatment and showed reversal to type A curve in 26% of ears in group I and 14% of ears in group II. Impedance audiometry at the end of treatment demonstrated reversal to type A tympanogram in 64% of ears in group I and 48 % of ears in group II.

Sharma S, Srivastava A, Sharma CM. Middle Ear Dysfunction: Connection to Allergic Rhinitis. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2016;9(2):65-67.