[Study on the correlation of substance P in middle ear effusion and clinical presentation in secretory otitis media].

Objective: To investigate the correlation of substance P in middle ear effusion and clinical presentation in secretory otitis media.

Method: Observation on relation between clinical presentation (the course of disease, the hearing loss, quantity of middle ear effusion or quality) and substance P (SP) content of middle ear effusion (MEE) in 64 cases (79 ears) of secretory otitis media (SOM).

Result: SP concentration of MEE in serous group was remarkably higher than that in the mucous group (P < 0.01). SP concentration of MEE had positive correlation with the volume (r = 0.985, P < 0.01), and negative correlation with the course of disease (r = -0.6217, P < 0.01). The hearing loss of mucous group was remarkably higher than that of the serous group (P < 0.01). SP concentration of MEE in serous group had positive correlation with auditory threshold (r = 0.9553, P < 0.01). SP concentration of MEE in mucous had no correlation with auditory threshold.

Conclusion: SP might play an important role in SOM. The detection of SP content in MEE is of important significance for judging quality of MEE and understanding the course of disease.