Eustachian Tube and Nasal Function during Pregnancy: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) during pregnancy and the so-called “rhinitis of pregnancy” were investigated in a prospective manner by use of sonotubometry, the nine-step inflation-deflation tympanometric test, and computer-assisted anterior rhinomanometry. Twenty pregnant volunteers with symptoms of ETD were compared to 20 asymptomatic trimester-matched pregnant subjects and 20 nonpregnant, age-matched controls. Among the symptomatic women, 16 of 20 (80%) demonstrated ETD, compared to 9 of 20 (45%) of the asymptomatic women and 6 of 20 (30%) of the nonpregnant controls ( p < 0.01). A statistically significant difference was also demonstrated between the symptomatic pregnant group and the control women with respect to nasal conductance and inspiratory work/liter. Resolution of ETD and nasal obstruction were documented upon repeat testing of pregnant subjects 4 to 10 weeks postpartum. Otologic history and current cigarette-smoking habit were found to predispose women toward ETD ( p < 0.05). We conclude that ETD during pregnancy and rhinitis of pregnancy are genuine clinical entities that can be demonstrated in the clinical laboratory and that the natural history of these disorders predicts resolution postpartum.