A Clinical Trial of Proton Pump Inhibitors to Treat Children With Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: This study is being done to see if reflux of stomach fluid might be a cause of chronic fluid in the ears. Our hypothesis is that treatment with an anti-reflux medication (lansoprazole) will increase the rate of resolution of chronic middle ear fluid in children.

Detailed Description: This study is being done to see if reflux of stomach fluid might be a cause of fluid in the ears. Earlier studies have found pepsin or pepsinogen, a component of stomach fluid, in the middle ear fluid of many children with chronic middle ear fluid. Anti-reflux medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) reduce the acidity of the contents of the stomach and the activity of pepsin or pepsinogen. We are studying the effectiveness of a PPI called lansoprazole (Prevacid™) in reducing fluid in the ears. If lansoprazole is able to reduce the fluid in the middle ear, this tells us that the reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus and into the ear canal may be causing middle ear fluid.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

History of chronic otitis media with effusion meeting clinical indications for tympanostomy tubes placement, defined as the presence of middle ear fluid on physical exam for at least 3 months, in at least one ear.

Exclusion Criteria

Past medical history or concurrent conditions known to increase the incidence of either recurrent otitis media or otitis media with effusion or gastroesophageal reflux disease, including cleft palate, neurological delay, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome, and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Children with structural abnormalities of the tympanic membranes, such as cholesteatoma, deep retraction pockets, and atelectasis of the tympanic membrane. These abnormalities would require placement of tympanostomy tubes in standard clinical practice.
Children weighing less than 10 kilograms, due to the lower weight limit for standard Prevacid™ dosing

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)	lansoprazole	Prevacid SoluTab (15 or 30 mg tab) once daily for 2 months
Placebo	placebo	Placebo SoluTab once daily for 2 months

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Absence of Middle Ear Fluid by Pneumatic Otoscopy, Right Ear	2 months
Absence of Middle Ear Fluid by Pneumatic Otoscopy, LeftEar	2 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Acoustic Reflectometry: Level of Risk as Defined by Manufacturer	2 months	Spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry is a noninvasive, non-audible acoustic wave used to help detect middle ear fluid. The manufacturer recommends interpretation of the angle result as: \<49°, high risk of middle ear effusion (level 5); 49-59°, moderate-high risk (level 4); 60-69°, moderate risk (level 3); 70-95°, low-moderate risk (level 2) and \>95°, low risk (level 1).
Number of Participants With Normal Type A Tympanometry	2 months	Tympanometry of both ears, coded by Jerger classification (Type A, normal; type B, flat; Type C; negative pressure). This is a standard test of middle ear status as performed by audiologists. Please refer to the reference for more information: Kileny \& Zwolan, Diagnostic Audiology, chapter 133, Cummings Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Elsevier/Saunders, 2015.
Number of Participants With at Least 1 Symptoms of Reflux in the Past Week, Assessed by the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire	2 months	Questions regarding reflux symptoms, created and evaluated by Nelson et al, Prevalence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux during childhood: a pediatric practice-based survey, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154;150-154. This study used the GER3-9P version for children aged 3-9 years. Results are reported as number reporting at least one specific symptom in the past week, maximum 7 symptoms.