External otitis media: modern possibilities for improving the effectiveness of treatment and the quality of life of patients

Abstract

Introduction. Polyethologicity of otitis externa with inflammation of the auricle, ear canal and outer layer of the eardrum, persistent course and high probability of recurrence necessitates improved treatment.Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the use and the impact on the quality of life of combined ear drops with antimicrobial and local anesthetic effects.Materials and methods. A simple randomized controlled clinical trial involved 56 people, including 25 women and 31 men aged 32 to 56 years, suffering from acute diffuse otitis externa. Clinical efficacy, recovery time and impact on quality of life were evaluated in two groups: groups 1 (n = 27), patients receiving ear drops containing choline acetate as local therapy, with group 2 (n = 29) taking a multicomponent drug containing polymyxin B sulfate 1,000,000 IU, neomycin sulfate 0.5 g (375,000 IU) and lidocaine hydrochloride in the form of ear drops. The assessment of otalgia, hearing loss and discharge from the external auditory canal was carried out on the VAS, quality of life scale using the SF-36 general questionnaires.Results and discussion. There was a positive dynamic of clinical manifestations and restoration of quality-of-life indicators in a shorter period (3rd, 5th day) with the disappearance of all the main clinical symptoms (7th day) with good tolerability and absence of side effects in the second group of patients taking the multicomponent drug.Conclusions. The use of ear drops containing a combination of topical antimicrobial drugs with an anesthetic in the complex therapy of otitis externa significantly improved the clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients.