Children aged 4–12 were recruited from the clinics at Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong. Subjects recruited were interviewed and a questionnaire filled in regarding nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching of the nose and/or post nasal discharge (ARIR document). The children were then examined by a doctor using a pneumatic otoscopy and a portable tympanometer. Children found to have OME were offered a follow-up visit 3 months later.
12 out of 159 (7.5%) of the AR group were found to have OME compared with 3 out of 185 (1.6%) in the non-AR group, p = 0.016. During the 2nd visit at 3 months, 85.7% of the AR subjects showed resolution of their OME.
Our data showed a significant difference in the prevalence of OME between AR and non-AR subjects. Of the 185 non AR subjects (Control group), 3 was found to have OME, suggesting a point prevalence of OME of 1.6% in the community in Hong Kong. OME is more likely to occur in children with allergic rhinitis and it may be wiser to manage OME in these individuals differently.