Efficacy of biologics for eosinophilic otitis media.

Background: Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable condition primarily treated with steroids. Recently, biologics targeting IgE or IL-5 have been introduced.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of biologics for EOM.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively collected data on EOM patients treated from January 2008 to December 2020 from electronic medical records. Patients were classified into the steroid group, treated with systemic or local steroids, and the biologics group, treated with biologics with or without steroids.

Results: The otorrhea remission rate was 63.33% in the steroid group, comparable to 58.82% in the biologics group (p = 0.760). Before treatment, the steroid group showed better bone-conduction (BC) thresholds at 0.5 kHz and 1 kHz than the biologics group. Post-treatment, the steroid group improved in air-conduction (AC) threshold and air-bone gap (ABG) at 1 kHz and 2 kHz. The biologics group exhibited stable audiological results. No significant differences were observed post-treatment between the groups, except for the BC threshold at 0.5 kHz, which remained as pre-treatment.

Conclusions and significance: Biologics demonstrated similar efficacy in otorrhea remission as steroids and might help maintain hearing levels. Biologics can be considered for controlling EOM with active otorrhea and reducing systemic steroid use.