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

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.