Secretory otitis media—A retrospective general practice survey

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Abstract
The general practice records of 68 children with secretory otitis media (SOM) were studied. A control group was matched one for one on the basis of sex, year of birth and general practice list. The SOM group had twice the incidence of recorded atopy, twice the incidence, of recorded previous upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), and 3 times the incidence of recorded previous attacks of acute otitis media (AOM) compared with the control group. The recorded antibiotic treatment of URTI and AOM in the 2 groups was similar. Antihistamines and decongestants were seldom recorded in the treatment of AOM. The higher incidence of atopy found in the children with SOM prompts the suggestion that antihistamines and decongestants used by general practitioners in the routine treatment of AOM and URTI might help prevent the development of SOM. A prospective double-blind trial along these lines seems desirable.

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