SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2011
Antihistamines and/or decongestants for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2011. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
30 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 163 citations in OpenAlex.
- Herbal medicines for the treatment of otitis media with effusion: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.BMJ open · 2016Pooled it
- Autoinflation for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013Pooled it
- Korean clinical practice guidelines: otitis media in children.Journal of Korean medical science · 2012Guideline
- Oral steroids for resolution of otitis media with effusion in children (OSTRICH): a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised trial.Lancet (London, England) · 2018Trial
- Analyzing eustachian tube function in patients with symptoms of chronical Eustachian tube dysfunction by pressure chamber measurements.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2018Trial
- Trial
- Effect of nasal balloon autoinflation in children with otitis media with effusion in primary care: an open randomized controlled trial.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2015Trial
- Review
- Occurrence of mucosa-affecting diseases of the upper airways in middle ear cholesteatoma patients: a nationwide case-control study.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2024Article
- Mapping the evidence about the natural history of acute infections commonly seen in primary care and managed with antibiotics: a scoping review.BMC infectious diseases · 2024Article
- Allergy in pathogenesis of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.The World Allergy Organization journal · 2024Review
- The feasibility and safety of eustachian tube dilation with a standard endovascular balloon: a clinical pilot study.Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale · 2023Article
- Effectiveness of Surgical Approach of Insertion Ventilation Tubes (Tympanostomy) and Adenoidectomy in Comparison with Non-Surgical Approach (Watchful Waiting Approach) in Children at the Age between 1 and 6 and Who Suffer from Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) in 12-Month Period of Observation-The Retrospective Analysis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Choosing Wisely Canada - pediatric otolaryngology recommendations.Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale · 2021Article
- Can party balloons replace autoinflation balloons to treat glue ear? A technical comparison.BJGP open · 2021Article
- Role of Allergy in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.Current allergy and asthma reports · 2020Review
- Allergy and Otitis Media in Clinical Practice.Current allergy and asthma reports · 2020Review
- A Review of the Contribution of Mast Cells in Wound Healing: Involved Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms.Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology · 2020Review
- Myringotomy and tube insertion combined with balloon eustachian tuboplasty for the treatment of otitis media with effusion in children.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2020Article
- Oral prednisolone for acute otitis media in children: a pilot, pragmatic, randomised, open-label, controlled study (OPAL study).Pilot and feasibility studies · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
- Update of
Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThis is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 4, 2006.Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common and may cause hearing loss with associated developmental delay. Treatment remains controversial. The effectiveness of antihistamines, decongestants and antihistamine/decongestant combinations in promoting the resolution of effusions has been assessed by randomized controlled trials.
objectivesThe objective of this review was to determine whether antihistamine, decongestant or combination therapy is effective in treating children who present with OME. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ISRCTN and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 1 February 2011, following a previous search in 2006. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using antihistamines, decongestants or antihistamine/decongestant combinations as treatment for OME in children. We excluded trials that randomized on the basis of acute otitis media (AOM) even though OME was also studied in follow up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently extracted data from the published reports using standardized data extraction forms and methods. The two authors assessed the methodological quality of the included studies independently. We expressed dichotomous results as a risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals using a fixed-effect model when homogeneous and a random-effects model when heterogeneous. Nearly all outcomes analyzed were homogeneous. We discussed continuous results qualitatively. We conducted statistical analysis using RevMan 5.1 software. MAIN
resultsSixteen studies (1880 participants) were included in the review. No statistical or clinical benefit was found for any of the interventions or outcomes studied. However, treated study subjects experienced 11% more side effects than untreated subjects (number needed to treat to harm = 9). AUTHORS'
conclusionsThe pooled data demonstrate no benefit and some harm from the use of antihistamines or decongestants alone or in combination in the management of OME, therefore we recommend against their use.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.