PROGNOSTIC FACTORS AND THERAPY IN SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA

M. Bojanovic, M. Stankovic, M. Mililjavic, M. Dinic, E. Zivkovic

ORL Clinic University ofNis

Nis Yugoslavia.

Secretory otitis media (SOM) in the general childhood population is often undetected, resolving spontaneously and recurring frequency. The aim of this paper is to identify patient characteristics that will help predict which are likely to clear spontaneously their effusion.

Factors associated with SOM were investigated in placebo-treated subjects enrolled in randomised, controlled double-blind studies: one trial evaluating the efficacy of a decongestant (antihistamine combination for SOM and one trial evaluating the efficacy of antibiotic therapy for SOM. Subjects seen at entry and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks following entry for otomicroscopy; tympanometry and audiometry. There were 20 patients in each group. Statistical significance was determined by use of a x² test. Significant difference was found for the allowing factors: duration of effusion laterality disease at entry, fluid level or bubbles, and hearing level a entry.