SMOKING AND MIDDLE-EAR CILIARY BEAT FREQUENCY IN OTITIS-MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

The middle ear mucociliary system has been shown to play an important role in clearing middle ear effusions. There is conflicting epidemiolo gical evidence, however, as to whether exposure to tobacco smoke plays a significant role in persistence of middle ear effusion in patients with otherwise normal mucociliary function. Samples of middle ear muco sa from 33 patients with persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) w ere taken at myringotomy, together with corresponding nasal brushings. The aim of this study was to observe the mean ear ciliary beat freque ncy (CBF) and to compare it with nasal ciliary activity. Nasal brushin gs were collected from 33 age and sex matched non-smoking controls wit h no history of nasal atopy or topical nasal treatment. Ear CBF in OME was significantly reduced in comparison to paired nasal samples (p < 0.001). Ear CBF in adult OME patients who smoked or in children who we re passive smokers was significantly less than in patients who were no t exposed to cigarette smoke (p < 0.01). This study indicates that imp aired ciliary function due to tobacco smoke exposure is an aetiologica l factor in persistent OME.