Exploring the Connection of Otitis Media with Effusion and Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterized by fluid accumulation in the middle ear behind an intact eardrum, often coexisting with allergic rhinitis, an inflammatory nasal condition causing symptoms such as nasal obstruction. Both conditions are prevalent in children and may share immune-mediated mechanisms linked to the unified airway concept. Previous studies suggest allergic rhinitis contributes to Eustachian-tube dysfunction and middle-ear effusion persistence, but the understanding of their interplay remains incomplete.