Helicobacter pylori detection and clinical symptomatology of gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric patients with otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to demonstrate Helicobacter pylori presence in otitis media with effusion (OME) and its association with symptomatology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS: In a cohort study, 69 effusions were collected during tympanostomy tube insertion for H. pylori detection using PCR and ELISA. Validated questionnaires were performed according to age for clinical diagnosis of GERD; chi-square ×2 statistical analysis was made.

RESULTS: Eight of the 69 ear effusions (5.7%) were positive for H. pylori detection using ELISA. Two patients (2.9%) had positive results for H. pylori detection using ELISA and PCR. These eight patients had positive results too in GERD questionnaires. None of the patients with negative/suspect questionnaires had positive results for H. pylori. We found statistical association between the results of ELISA, PCR and questionnaires (×2, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The H. pylori presence in effusions varies widely, in our population the frequency was lower than other reports. We found strong association between H. pylori in effusions and positive GERD questionnaires. The bacterium role in OME chronicity is not clear, but this study supports the GERD participation in OME pathogenesis.