Otitis Media With Effusion (OME) and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: The Role of Allergy and Immunity—An EAACI Position Paper

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftÜbersichtsartikel (Review)BeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • L. Klimek - , Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie Wiesbaden (Autor:in)
  • H. A. Brough - , Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London (KCL) (Autor:in)
  • S. Arasi - , IRCCS Ospedale pediatrico Bambino Gesù - Roma (Autor:in)
  • S. Toppila-Salmi - , University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki (Autor:in)
  • Christoph Bergmann - , Klinik RKM 740 (Autor:in)
  • M. Jutel - , Wrocław Medical University (Autor:in)
  • J. Bousquet - , Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung in der Charité, CHU Montpellier (Autor:in)
  • V. Hox - , Université catholique de Louvain (Autor:in)
  • P. Gevaert - , Ghent University (Autor:in)
  • P. V. Tomazic - , Medizinische Universität Graz (Autor:in)
  • C. Rondón Segovia - , Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) (Autor:in)
  • C. Cingi - , Osmangazi University (Autor:in)
  • M. Cuevas - , Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde (Autor:in)
  • M. Gröger - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • P. Huber - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • S. Reitsma - , Universiteit van Amsterdam (Autor:in)
  • M. Rudenko - , London Allergy & Immunology Centre (Autor:in)
  • J. Maza-Solano - , Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena (Autor:in)
  • S. Gane - , School of Advanced Study, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital (Autor:in)
  • A. Karavelia - , General Hopsital of Nafplio (Autor:in)
  • L. van Gerven - , KU Leuven (Autor:in)
  • M. Schiappoli - , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona (Autor:in)
  • B. Bozkurt - , Selcuk University (Autor:in)
  • S. Becker - , Universitätsklinikum Tübingen (Autor:in)
  • A. Chaker - , Technische Universität München (Autor:in)
  • B. Wollenberg - , Technische Universität München (Autor:in)
  • R. Mösges - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)
  • T. Huppertz - , Universitätsmedizin Mainz (Autor:in)
  • J. Hagemann - , Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie Wiesbaden (Autor:in)
  • O. Palomares - , Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Autor:in)
  • F. Bärhold - , Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie Wiesbaden (Autor:in)
  • O. Pfaar - , Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH (Autor:in)
  • S. Del Giacco - , Università degli Studi di Cagliari (Autor:in)
  • P. Bonadonna - , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona (Autor:in)
  • A. Moreira - , Universidade do Porto, São João Hospital (Autor:in)
  • I. Agache - , Transilvania University of Brasov (Autor:in)
  • C. A. Akdis - , Universität Zürich (Autor:in)
  • W. Fokkens - , Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC) (Autor:in)
  • J. Walusiak-Skorupa - , Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (Autor:in)
  • L. de las Vecillas - , Hospital Universitario La Paz (Autor:in)
  • M. Alvaro Lozano - , Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona (Autor:in)
  • M. Giovannini - , Università degli Studi di Firenze, Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer (Autor:in)
  • E. Untersmayr - , Medizinische Universität Wien (Autor:in)
  • W. Feleszko - , Medical University of Warsaw (Autor:in)
  • A. Cianferoni - , University of Pennsylvania (Autor:in)
  • U. M. Sahiner - , Hacettepe University (Autor:in)
  • I. Eguiluz-Gracia - , Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) (Autor:in)
  • M. Shamji - , Imperial College London (Autor:in)
  • M. J. Torres Jaén - , Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) (Autor:in)

Abstract

IgE-mediated allergies play a significant role in respiratory diseases. Given the similar mucosal epithelium of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and their shared (patho)physiological immune responses, the “unified airways” concept views these tracts as a single system. Recently, this model has been extended to include the middle ear, with studies confirming that the Eustachian tube and middle ear are both anatomically and functionally part of the upper airways. However, the relationship between allergies and middle ear disorders remains controversial, with conflicting findings regarding pathogenesis and treatment. The increasing prevalence of allergies highlights the importance of further research. In Germany, the current sensitization rate to aeroallergens is 33.6%, with similar trends across Europe, where rates commonly range up to 30%. This widespread increase underscores the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the correlation between allergies and middle ear disorders across diverse European populations. Ineffective pharmacotherapy or possibly harmful medication for acute and chronic OME, such as systemic steroids, is most likely used globally in an uninformed way, due to a lack of evidence on the connection between allergic inflammation and eustachian tube dysfunction. Further research is essential to clarify the mechanisms linking IgE-mediated allergies to middle ear pathologies and to develop effective treatment strategies. Addressing these knowledge gaps is critical for improving patient outcomes and managing the rising burden of allergic diseases.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)2429-2441
Seitenumfang13
FachzeitschriftAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Jahrgang80
Ausgabenummer9
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Sept. 2025
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 40242889
ORCID /0009-0007-1117-2210/work/199964176

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • eustachian, eustachian tube, IgE allergy, middle ear, mucosal immunity, pediatric allergy, tube dysfunction