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Glucocorticosteroids in allergic inflammation: Clinical benefits in otitis media with effusion

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Abstract

Allergy and otitis media with effusion are often considered as comorbidities. Evidence points to a role for allergy in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion in reports of increased prevalence of allergy in patients with otitis media with effusion and presence of late-phase allergic-response inflammatory mediators and cytokines in the middle-ear effusion of allergic subjects. However, the exact mechanism remains unknown. Many speculations have been made, but well-controlled studies to prove the efficacy of anti-allergic medication in the treatment of otitis media with effusion are lacking. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of glucocorticosteroids in allergic patients with otitis media with effusion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Ingeborg Dhooge MD, PhD

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  1. Ingeborg Dhooge MD, PhD
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  2. Katia Verbruggen MD
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  3. Liesbet Vandenbulcke MD
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Dhooge, I., Verbruggen, K. & Vandenbulcke, L. Glucocorticosteroids in allergic inflammation: Clinical benefits in otitis media with effusion. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 6, 327–333 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-006-0068-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-006-0068-6

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