Otitis media in adults as a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux.

Abstract

To investigate the clinical relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and otitis media with effusion (OME) in adults. Sixty patients with OME with unknown causes were asked to answer a new questionnaire specific for the diagnosis of GER disease; pepsinogen (PG) levels in their middle-ear effusions (MEEs) were measured. The percentage of patients with high PG concentrations in their MEEs was significantly higher in those with questionnaire-positive GER than in those with questionnaire-negative GER. OME was present bilaterally in a significantly higher percentage of patients with questionnaire-positive GER. The PG levels decreased in some of the patients after receiving proton pump inhibitors, which also decreased the symptoms of GER. The presence of PG in MEEs supports the existence of GER; treatment for GER should be considered in patients with ear complaints, especially in those who have GER-related symptoms.