Low prevalence of middle ear disease in cystic fibrosis patients.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of middle ear alterations in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. METHODS In this descriptive study, 120 CF patients aged 5 months to 18 years were assessed by clinical history, otoscopy, and tympanometry. Data on P. aeruginosa colonization and parenteral and/or inhaled aminoglycoside use were also collected from medical charts. RESULTS Clinical history revealed absence of previous otitis media in 57% of patients. Tympanic membranes were normal in 94% of patients who underwent otoscopic evaluation; chronic otitis media was suggested in about 1% of the cases, otitis media with effusion (OME) in 2%, and Eustachian tube dysfunction in 3%. As for tympanometry, 91% of patients who underwent the exam showed normal results, OME was suggested in 2% of the cases, and Eustachian tube dysfunction in 7%. CONCLUSION There was a low prevalence rate of middle ear alterations in our series of CF patients. The use of aminoglycosides and colonization by P. aeruginosa did not influence the prevalence of middle ear alterations. Our results suggest that a detailed clinical history and a routine otoscopy evaluation may confirm or rule out most middle ear alterations in CF patients.