The incidence of atopy in adults with recurrent secretory otitis media: screening with Phadiatop.

OBJECTIVES This is a preliminary report of a relatively new method, Phadiatop, in screening atopic adult patients with recurrent secretory otitis media (SOM). The sensitivity and specificity, and its use in atopic adult patients with recurrent SOM were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty-four patients (54 females, 30 males; mean age 36.7; range 19 to 62 years) who were diagnosed as recurrent SOM were included in the study. The patients were evaluated with respect to history, laboratory tests, skin-prick test, and total IgE. Patients with at least one positive skin-prick test result and/or a high total IgE level with a positive history were considered to be in atopic status. RESULTS According to certain criteria, atopy was detected in 31 of 84 patients. Negative Phadiatop values were found in all non-atopic patients as well as in one atopic patient. Among 31 patients having atopy, 30 patients showed positive Phadiatop values (specificity 1.00, sensitivity 0.97, positive predictive value 1.00, negative predictive value 0.98). CONCLUSION These results indicate that Phadiatop is an effective test to detect atopy in patients with recurrent SOM.