Integrative versus Conventional Therapy of Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion and Adenoid Hypertrophy in Children: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and adenoid hypertrophy (AH) are common entities in the pediatric population. The conventional treatment approach (conventional medicine; COM) involved mainly surgery after a period of close observation. In this study, we aimed to introduce an integrative, non-invasive approach (integrative medicine; IM) for COME, AH, and associated episodes of recurrent acute otitis media, and compared outcomes with conventional treatment. Methods: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized study in an integrative primary care pediatric practice and a conventional pediatric otolaryngological clinic, where treatment modality was determined by patient preference. Out of a total 101 patients aged 1-8 years, integrative therapy was chosen by 46, and conventional treatment by 55. All patients had COME and AH diagnosed by an otolaryngologist and had moderate to severe hearing impairment. COM treatment was based on close observation over time, nasal decongestants and surgical intervention. In contrast, the IM involved a complex personalized approach with non-invasive interventions, non-allopathic medications, diet and patient education. Results: The number of surgical interventions (adenoidectomy, pressure-equalization tube insertion, myringotomy) was significantly less in the IM cohort (1 of 28 vs. 15 of 35 in the COM group, p < 0.001). The frequency of antibiotic use was significantly less in the IM group (p < 0.001). The frequency of analgesic use was also significantly less in the IM group (p = 0.029). Improvement in tympanometric measures (normal A-type curve) was higher in IM patients compared to expected spontaneous remission during the observation period. Improvement in audiometric measures (intact hearing) of IM patients was also higher than expected compared to spontaneous remission during the observation period. Conclusion: Compared to conventional treatment, integrative treatment of patients with COME and AH showed significantly lower invasive surgical intervention rates and significantly decreased antibiotic and analgesic use. The integrative treatment was effective, safe and well tolerated.

Contributing to Global Health: Development of a Consensus-Based Whole Systems Research Strategy for Anthroposophic Medicine

“…These approaches include specific treatments such as certain nursing applications (to treat, for instance, insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, osteoarthritis) [41, 42]; herbal extracts (e.g., for skin diseases, cancer, maternity care, and atopic diseases) [43, 44]; and eurythmy therapy (e.g., for chronic pain, mental conditions, high risk of falling among the elderly) [45]. They also include multimodal concepts (e.g., for fatigue and other quality-of-life issues in chronic NCDs and chronic infections) [46, 47]; models of patient-centered care (e.g., for pediatric diabetic care or depressive disorder) [48–50]; community care (e.g., for chronic pain with associated multimorbidity) [51]; strategies for dealing with fever (http://warmuptofever.org/en/) [52]; prevention strategies (for atopic diseases and allergies) [53, 54]; and support of self-efficacy [55] and perspectives on both the patient's and the care provider's needs [56, 57].…”

The Contribution of Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Reduce Antibiotic Use: A Narrative Review of Health Concepts, Prevention, and Treatment Strategies

“…A prospective nonrandomized, comparative study underlined these results in the treatment of children with chronic otitis media with effusion. The frequency of antibiotic use was significantly less with the integrative concept using integrative-anthroposophic treatment (17.9% vs. 82.9%) [121].…”

Fallbericht: Einsatz von Antibiotika bei Kindern mit Pneumonie

“…Parallel erfolgte eine Inhalationstherapie mit Pulmo / Vivianit [2,3]. Initiale äußerliche Anwendung von Senfmehlwickeln [6,7], im Verlauf Ingwerwickel [6,7] und Schafgarbenwickel [6,7] sowie Lavendelbrustauflagen [6,7] Der Fall illustriert, dass Otitis-media-Infektionen häufig keiner antibiotischen Behandlungen bedürfen [17][18][19], auch wenn sie mit 41,0 ℃ Fieber einhergehen und das CRP auf über 8 mg / dl ansteigt. Inzwischen ist es bei Otitis media Standard geworden, 2 Tage vor dem Beginn einer Antibiotikatherapie zu warten, da sich die meisten Otitiden innerhalb von 2 Tagen bessern.…”