Author Year
Type of article
N (mean age)
Methods
Relevant results
Association. (Level ofevidence)
Cheng et al. 2016 (32)
Metanalysis
N/A
Metanalysis cross-sectional and case-controlled studies
OME and AR are prevalent in pre-school and school-aged children. The study suggests allergy is a risk factor for OME.
Yes (Level I)
Gultekin et al. 2004 (33)
Epidemiologic study
N=1800 school-children
To determine the impact of environmental, epidemiologic and familial factors in the development of persistent OME
Allergy history was a statistically significant factor among children with OME compared to normal children.
Yes (Level IV)
Kreiner-Møller 2012 (34)
Cohort study.
N= 291 children (6yr)
To investigate the association between atopic disease and OME.
OME was diagnosed in 39% of the cohort and was associated with AR (OR = 3.36, CI = 1.26-8.96, P = 0.02).
Yes (Level III)
Kwon et al. 2013 (35)
Case-control study
N=370 children with OME and 100 controls
To assess the relationship between OME and allergic diseases
The incidence of AR alone was significantly higher in children with OME (33.8%) than without OME (16.0%);
Yes (Level III)
Sharifian et al. 2019 (36)
Case-control study
N=37 OME children and 52 controls (2-15 years)
To investigate immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated hypersensitivity as a causative factor in the development of OME.
Allergic rhinitis prevalence was notably higher among OME patients than in the control group; there were no differences in eosinophil counts, serum IgE concentrations and nasal smear eosinophils in the two groups.
Yes (Level III) no correlation with biomarkers
Roditi et al. 2015 (37)
Retrospective analysis
N=133 (<18 years)
To determine whether there is a significant relationship between allergic rhinitis and OME and whether age is an effect modifier of any such association
Age is an effect modifier of the association between allergic rhinitis and OME; a significant relationship is observed in children 6 years of age and older, whereas there is no significant association in younger children.
Yes (Level IV)
Torretta et al 2018 (39)
Retrospective study
N=153 (59.4± 16.4months)
A retrospective chart review evaluating the effect of allergy in the development of recurrent AOM with or without OME.
Higher prevalence of allergy or atopy in children with RAOM with OME than in those without OME
Yes (Level IV)
Quaranta et al. 2013 (40)
Epidemiologic study
N=81 children, Mean age 6.9 yr.
To evaluate the role of the different forms of chronic rhinitis in the pathogenesis OME in children with AH.
70% of children had a chronic rhinitis with AH and 60% of them had OME. Nasal cytology together with Skin prick test showed that AR was rarely present in this group.
Yes (Level IV)
Norhafizh et al. 2020 (41)
Prospective cross-sectional study.
N=130 children (4-18 years)
To determine the preva- lence of allergic rhinitis in children with persistent OME High prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children with persistent OME (80.3%); dust mites was the most common allergen.There was a statistically significant improvement of the hearing threshold after anti-allergy therapy. Yes (Level II)
Songu et al. 2020 (42)
Cohort study.
N=539 patients undergoing surgery for AH
To determine the most important risk factors in the development of OME in children with adenoid hypertrophy.
Atopy and allergic rhinitis resulted as main risk factors for OME.
Yes (Level III)