TY - JOUR
T1 - Allergy and Otitis Media in Clinical Practice
AU - Ciprandi, Giorgio
AU - Torretta, Sara
AU - Marseglia, Gian Luigi
AU - Licari, Amelia
AU - Chiappini, Elena
AU - Benazzo, Marco
AU - Tosca, Maria Angela
AU - Marchisio, Paola
PY - 2020/8/1
Y1 - 2020/8/1
N2 - Purpose of Review: Otitis media (OM) is a disease with very high prevalence in infancy, substantial burden on healthcare resources, and relevant impact on the quality of life of families. The link between OM and allergy is controversial and still debated. However, a fundamental premise has to be placed before introducing this topic: there is the need to use clear and unambiguous terms. Literature abounds with misleading terms that significantly affect the methodology and consequently the outcomes. Moreover, it is essential to differentiate patients according to the OM type (i.e., acute OM, OM with effusion, and chronic suppurative OM), the allergic disease, and mainly the age. Recent Findings: There are some recent studies exploring this issue through different approaches, such as epidemiological, mechanistic, and therapeutic. To identify allergy as a pathogenic factor for OM could improve the management of OM patients. Vice versa, to suspect allergy in OM patients could be reasonable in selected patients. Summary: The current narrative review provides an overview of the evidence concerning the potential role of allergy in OM. As there are conflicting findings, a possible interpretation of pathophysiological events and a pragmatic approach are proposed.
AB - Purpose of Review: Otitis media (OM) is a disease with very high prevalence in infancy, substantial burden on healthcare resources, and relevant impact on the quality of life of families. The link between OM and allergy is controversial and still debated. However, a fundamental premise has to be placed before introducing this topic: there is the need to use clear and unambiguous terms. Literature abounds with misleading terms that significantly affect the methodology and consequently the outcomes. Moreover, it is essential to differentiate patients according to the OM type (i.e., acute OM, OM with effusion, and chronic suppurative OM), the allergic disease, and mainly the age. Recent Findings: There are some recent studies exploring this issue through different approaches, such as epidemiological, mechanistic, and therapeutic. To identify allergy as a pathogenic factor for OM could improve the management of OM patients. Vice versa, to suspect allergy in OM patients could be reasonable in selected patients. Summary: The current narrative review provides an overview of the evidence concerning the potential role of allergy in OM. As there are conflicting findings, a possible interpretation of pathophysiological events and a pragmatic approach are proposed.
KW - Acute otitis media
KW - Allergy
KW - Infections
KW - Otitis media with effusion
KW - Risk factors
KW - Type 2 inflammation
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U2 - 10.1007/s11882-020-00930-8
DO - 10.1007/s11882-020-00930-8
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32506393
AN - SCOPUS:85086040711
VL - 20
JO - Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
JF - Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
SN - 1529-7322
IS - 8
M1 - 33
ER -