Eustachian Tube DysfunctionNCT01251432
Risk Factors and Potential Causes of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults
An observational study of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Chronic Otitis Media, run by University of Pittsburgh at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This research study measures how well the Eustachian tube works and looks directly at the anatomy of the Eustachian tube in adults who have had tympanostomy tubes surgically inserted into their eardrums because they have been diagnosed as having either "otitis media" or "poor Eustachian tube function". Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Chronic Otitis Media
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jun 2010to May 2016
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: adults with tympanostomy tube(s) for chronic otitis media and/or eustachian tube dysfunction
Who may be able to join
- 18 years of age and older
- at least one functioning tympanostomy tube
Who cannot join
- any diagnosed cancer
- otitis onset attributable to barotrauma (eg, hyperbaric oxygen treatment)
- known vestibular/inner ear pathology who may incur dizzy or vertigo symptoms as a result of increase in middle ear pressure
- history of ossicular chain reconstruction
- known hypersensitivity to topical medicines (lidocaine, oxymetazoline)
- severe nasal obstruction
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Middle Ear Physiology Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213
About this study
Official title: Risk Factors and Potential Causes of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults With Clinically Diagnosed Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion and/or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
This research study measures how well the Eustachian tube works and looks directly at the anatomy of the Eustachian tube in adults who have had tympanostomy tubes surgically inserted into their eardrums because they have been diagnosed as having either "otitis media" or "poor Eustachian tube function". The Eustachian tube is a biologic tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear (the airspace located behind your eardrum). That tube is usually closed, but can be opened by swallowing and other activities. Periodic openings of the Eustachian tube allow air to flow between the nose and middle ear which keeps the pressure of gas in the middle ear at the same level as that of the atmosphere, a condition required for good hearing. In children and adults, middle-ear diseases such as otitis media with effusion (the buildup of fluid within the middle ear) and a form of temporary hearing loss (conductive hearing loss) occur if the Eustachian tube does not open, does not open frequently enough or is always open (called a patulous Eustachian tube). A diagnosis of these different conditions can be made using standard, clinical tests of Eustachian tube function and the Eustachian tube can be visualized where it enters the back of the nose using a specialized telescope called an endoscope. Some scientific reports suggest that the cause of poor Eustachian tube function in an individual can be determined by studying the anatomy of the Eustachian tube at the back of the nose and the movements of the Eustachian tube in that area during swallowing, talking and other activities using an endoscope.
In this study, the investigators plan to explore the relationship between the results of the standard Eustachian tube function tests and those for the anatomy and function of the Eustachian tube in adults with a disease condition likely to be caused by poor Eustachian tube function. Also, there are a number other disease conditions (examples: nasal allergy, acid reflux disease) that are related to poor Eustachian tube function and it is possible that these conditions and their effect on Eustachian tube function can be treated with medicines. Therefore, the investigators also plan to evaluate enrolled persons for those conditions. It is expected that if the results of the standard Eustachian tube function tests can be explained by the anatomy of the back of the nose and Eustachian tube, the functional anatomy (movements during swallowing etc) of the Eustachian tube or the presence of allergy and or/acid reflux disease, new medical and/or surgical treatments can be developed to improve Eustachian tube function and "cure" or treat the associated middle-ear diseases.
Read the detailed description
This study requires a single visit to the Middle Ear Physiology Laboratory (MEPL) located on the first floor of the Oakland Medical Building (3420 Fifth Avenue in Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA). Adjacent parking attached to that building is available. The total time of the visit should be about 2 hours.
If the subject is eligible and signs informed consent to participate in the study, a series of questions regarding past history of ear disease will be asked as well as whether or not a subject has any of several risk factors that makes people more likely to develop otitis media with effusion and other ear diseases. The subject will also complete a short questionnaire that asks questions about whether or not they have symptoms consistent with acid reflux disease. Then, a blood sample (about 2/3 of a tablespoon) will be taken from an arm vein and sent to a laboratory for assay of chemicals associated with allergic diseases. These procedures should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Then, the subject's Eustachian tube function will be tested in the ear/ears that have open tympanostomy tubes in the eardrum. For these tests, the subject will be seated comfortably in a chair and a soft rubber tube will be put partway into their ear canal. This tube is attached to a machine that can change the pressure in the ear and measure the pressure at which the Eustachian tube opens and closes, as well as how easily air flows through the Eustachian tube and how easily the subject can open their Eustachian tube during swallowing. These tests only require that the subject not pull the ear plug from their ear and perform certain procedures designed to open their Eustachian tube such as swallowing with an open and pinched nose, blowing against a closed nose and deep breathing. The total time for testing is about 20 minutes per ear.
Then, a study doctor will apply topical medicines by spray and cotton balls to the inside of the nose to decrease any swelling and numb the nose (4% Lidocaine and 0.05% Oxymetazoline mixed in 1:1 proportion). After a short break of about 20 minutes to allow time for these medicines to work, the study doctor will choose which side of the subject's nose is most open and will introduce a small video telescope (called an endoscope) into that side of the nose and move it to the back of the nose. This will allow him/her to see the back of the nose and the Eustachian tubes. He/she will focus the endoscope on the Eustachian tubes and will record video images of the back of the nose, the Eustachian tubes at rest and the movements of the Eustachian tubes while the subject swallows, yawns, repeats an "O" sound, repeats a "K" sound and moves their jaw. The subject will be able to see the movements of the Eustachian tube on a monitor while performing these procedures. This procedure should take about 40 minutes to complete.
After this test, the study is complete.
- Conditions
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Chronic Otitis Media
- Keywords
- otitis media, Eustachian tube, allergy, gastroesophageal reflux, tympanostomy tube
- Medical subject headings
- Otitis Media, Hypersensitivity, Gastroesophageal Reflux
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| chronic otitis media | adults who have had tympanostomy tube(s) inserted for chronic otitis media | |
| Eustachian tube dysfunction | adults who have had tympanostomy tube(s) inserted for the clinical diagnosis of Eustachian tube dysfunction |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Eustachian tube function
manometric tests of ET function
Measured: Visit 1
Secondary outcomes (1)
results of videoendoscopic exam
endoscopic examination of ET during various maneuvers
Measured: Visit 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Dec 2010 (estimated)
- Study startJun 2010
- Primary completionMay 2016
- Study completionMay 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Eustachian Tube DysfunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of PittsburghThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Pittsburgh
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Cuneyt M. Alper, University of Pittsburgh
- Investigators
- Cuneyt M Alper, MD, Principal investigator, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01251432
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PRO09040437
- Other IDs
- P50DC007667
- Status last verified
- Nov 2016
- First submitted
- 1 Dec 2010
- Last updated
- 4 Nov 2016
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Nov 2016. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Risk Factors and Potential Causes of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults With Clinically Diagnosed Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion and/or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01251432
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PRO09040437
- Conditions
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Chronic Otitis Media
- Keywords
- otitis media, Eustachian tube, allergy, gastroesophageal reflux, tympanostomy tube
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of PittsburghUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
- Study start
- Jun 2010
- Primary completion
- May 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- May 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Dec 2010 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This research study measures how well the Eustachian tube works and looks directly at the anatomy of the Eustachian tube in adults who have had tympanostomy tubes surgically inserted into their eardrums because they have been diagnosed as having either "otitis media" or "poor Eustachian tube function". The Eustachian tube is a biologic tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear (the airspace located behind your eardrum). That tube is usually closed, but can be opened by swallowing and other activities. Periodic openings of the Eustachian tube allow air to flow between the nose and middle ear which keeps the pressure of gas in the middle ear at the same level as that of the atmosphere, a condition required for good hearing. In children and adults, middle-ear diseases such as otitis media with effusion (the buildup of fluid within the middle ear) and a form of temporary hearing loss (conductive hearing loss) occur if the Eustachian tube does not open, does not open frequently enough or is always open (called a patulous Eustachian tube). A diagnosis of these different conditions can be made using standard, clinical tests of Eustachian tube function and the Eustachian tube can be visualized where it enters the back of the nose using a specialized telescope called an endoscope. Some scientific reports suggest that the cause of poor Eustachian tube function in an individual can be determined by studying the anatomy of the Eustachian tube at the back of the nose and the movements of the Eustachian tube in that area during swallowing, talking and other activities using an endoscope.
In this study, the investigators plan to explore the relationship between the results of the standard Eustachian tube function tests and those for the anatomy and function of the Eustachian tube in adults with a disease condition likely to be caused by poor Eustachian tube function. Also, there are a number other disease conditions (examples: nasal allergy, acid reflux disease) that are related to poor Eustachian tube function and it is possible that these conditions and their effect on Eustachian tube function can be treated with medicines. Therefore, the investigators also plan to evaluate enrolled persons for those conditions. It is expected that if the results of the standard Eustachian tube function tests can be explained by the anatomy of the back of the nose and Eustachian tube, the functional anatomy (movements during swallowing etc) of the Eustachian tube or the presence of allergy and or/acid reflux disease, new medical and/or surgical treatments can be developed to improve Eustachian tube function and "cure" or treat the associated middle-ear diseases.
Detailed description
This study requires a single visit to the Middle Ear Physiology Laboratory (MEPL) located on the first floor of the Oakland Medical Building (3420 Fifth Avenue in Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA). Adjacent parking attached to that building is available. The total time of the visit should be about 2 hours.
If the subject is eligible and signs informed consent to participate in the study, a series of questions regarding past history of ear disease will be asked as well as whether or not a subject has any of several risk factors that makes people more likely to develop otitis media with effusion and other ear diseases. The subject will also complete a short questionnaire that asks questions about whether or not they have symptoms consistent with acid reflux disease. Then, a blood sample (about 2/3 of a tablespoon) will be taken from an arm vein and sent to a laboratory for assay of chemicals associated with allergic diseases. These procedures should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Then, the subject's Eustachian tube function will be tested in the ear/ears that have open tympanostomy tubes in the eardrum. For these tests, the subject will be seated comfortably in a chair and a soft rubber tube will be put partway into their ear canal. This tube is attached to a machine that can change the pressure in the ear and measure the pressure at which the Eustachian tube opens and closes, as well as how easily air flows through the Eustachian tube and how easily the subject can open their Eustachian tube during swallowing. These tests only require that the subject not pull the ear plug from their ear and perform certain procedures designed to open their Eustachian tube such as swallowing with an open and pinched nose, blowing against a closed nose and deep breathing. The total time for testing is about 20 minutes per ear.
Then, a study doctor will apply topical medicines by spray and cotton balls to the inside of the nose to decrease any swelling and numb the nose (4% Lidocaine and 0.05% Oxymetazoline mixed in 1:1 proportion). After a short break of about 20 minutes to allow time for these medicines to work, the study doctor will choose which side of the subject's nose is most open and will introduce a small video telescope (called an endoscope) into that side of the nose and move it to the back of the nose. This will allow him/her to see the back of the nose and the Eustachian tubes. He/she will focus the endoscope on the Eustachian tubes and will record video images of the back of the nose, the Eustachian tubes at rest and the movements of the Eustachian tubes while the subject swallows, yawns, repeats an "O" sound, repeats a "K" sound and moves their jaw. The subject will be able to see the movements of the Eustachian tube on a monitor while performing these procedures. This procedure should take about 40 minutes to complete.
After this test, the study is complete.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| chronic otitis media | – | –adults who have had tympanostomy tube(s) inserted for chronic otitis media |
| Eustachian tube dysfunction | – | –adults who have had tympanostomy tube(s) inserted for the clinical diagnosis of Eustachian tube dysfunction |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- adults with tympanostomy tube(s) for chronic otitis media and/or eustachian tube dysfunction
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 18 years of age and older
- at least one functioning tympanostomy tube
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- any diagnosed cancer
- otitis onset attributable to barotrauma (eg, hyperbaric oxygen treatment)
- known vestibular/inner ear pathology who may incur dizzy or vertigo symptoms as a result of increase in middle ear pressure
- history of ossicular chain reconstruction
- known hypersensitivity to topical medicines (lidocaine, oxymetazoline)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Eustachian tube function
Time frame: Visit 1
manometric tests of ET function
1 secondary outcome
results of videoendoscopic exam
Time frame: Visit 1
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Nov 2016.
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EarFlo: A Non-Invasive Treatment for Otitis Media With Effusion & Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults
Otitis Media With Effusion (OME), Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
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Active vs. Passive VR During Office-based ENT Procedures
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Cuneyt M Alper, MD principal investigator
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Chronic Otitis Media, run by University of Pittsburgh at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Nov 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Eustachian tube function (time frame: Visit 1). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Nov 2016.