Allergic rhinitis is a common case found in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)
practice, and can cause mild to severe complications. The prevalence of allergic
rhinitis approximately 10-25% of population, which effects patient�s quality of
life as well as health cost. ENT practitioner needs to know the possible
complications that could happened from having allergic rhinitis. Prevention and
management of allergic rhinitis are important to avoid complications.
The aim of this study is to determine allergic rhinitis as a risk factor for
decreased value on middle ear pressure.
Study was commenced by doing tympanometri measurement to all
patients in ENT outpatient unit of Dr. Sardjito Hospital, and dividing patients into
rhinitis allergic group and non rhinitis allergic group. Skin prick test was carried
out to all patients to determine the allergic status. Patients data were processed
and analyzed with statistic measures to determine association between allergic
rhinitis and decreased middle ear pressure.
The study design was cross-sectional. Chi square and logistic regression
are used in data statistical analysis.
The result showed that from 40 allergic rhinitis patients, there were 33 patients
(86,8 %) with decreased middle ear pressure and only 7 (16,7 %) allergic rhinitis
patients without decreased middle ear pressure. Among 40 non allergic rhinitis
patients, 35 patients (83,3 %) were not having decreased middle ear pressure, and
only 5 patients (13,2 %) showed a decreased in middle ear pressure. Statistical
analysis showed that there was a significant association between allergic rhinitis
and decreased value in middle ear pressure (p<0,05). The prevalence ratio of
allergic rhinitis to decreased middle ear pressure was 693:100 (87 %). Among
allergic rhinitis patients, the major factor in decreasing middle ear pressure were
the persistent moderate-severe allergic rhinitis, and persistent mild allergic rhinitis
(p<0,05).
Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis associated with decreased middle ear pressure