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A critical evaluation of the evidence on a causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori and otitis media with effusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2007

H Sudhoff ,
S Rajagopal ,
D M Baguley ,
J Ebmeyer ,
A Schmelzer ,
S Schreiber  and
D A Moffat
H Sudhoff*
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology and Skull Base Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Städtische Kliniken Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
S Rajagopal
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology and Skull Base Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
D M Baguley
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
J Ebmeyer
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Städtische Kliniken Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
A Schmelzer
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Städtische Kliniken Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
S Schreiber
Affiliation:
Institut für Physiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
D A Moffat
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology and Skull Base Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Professor Dr Holger Sudhoff, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bielefeld Academic Teaching Hospital, Teutoburger Str. 50, 33604 Bielefeld, Germany Fax: +44 1223 217559 E-mail: Holger.Sudhoff@rub.de
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Abstract

Objective:

There is growing interest in the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the upper aerodigestive tract, and in the middle ear in patients with otitis media with effusion. Some studies have reported detecting H pylori in the middle ear, although reports to the contrary exist. In this study, we critically evaluate the evidence for the theory that H pylori in the middle ear plays a role in otitis media with effusion.

Material:

We undertook a systematic review of all available studies investigating the presence of H pylori in the middle ear of patients with otitis media with effusion. The current literature was critically analysed using the key words and phrases ‘Helicobacter pylori’ ‘otitis media with effusion’, ‘serous otitis media’, ‘glue ear’ and ‘middle ear’. Six original research papers were identified, studying a total of 203 patients and 27 controls; two of these papers were randomised, controlled studies and four were prospective, cohort studies.

Results:

At present, there is poor evidence for the existence of H pylori-associated otitis media with effusion.

Conclusions:

Further research in the field is needed in order to delineate the presence of H pylori and its role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion.

Keywords

Otitis Media With EffusionGastro-esophageal RefluxHelicobacter PyloriMiddle Ear

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 9 , September 2008 , pp. 905 - 911
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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