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A group III steroid solution without antibiotic components: an effective cure for external otitis
1ENT Clinic, Ystad Hospital, Ystad, Sweden. per.emgard@skane.se
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|June 14, 2005
Summary
Betamethasone dipropionate (BD) ear drops effectively treated external otitis, reducing symptoms and relapses compared to hydrocortisone with antibiotics (HCPB). BD ear drops are recommended for external otitis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- External otitis is a common condition requiring effective topical treatment.
- Current treatments vary in efficacy and potential side effects.
- Comparing steroid-only versus combination antibiotic/steroid drops is crucial for optimal patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of betamethasone dipropionate (BD) ear drops versus a combination of hydrocortisone, oxytetracycline, and polymyxin B (HCPB) ear drops for external otitis.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes during the acute phase and assess relapse rates over a six-month follow-up.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study involving 51 patients with external otitis.
- Patients were assigned to receive either BD (n=26) or HCPB (n=25) ear drops, applied twice daily.
- Clinical assessments, symptom diaries, and microbial cultures (bacterial and fungal) were performed at baseline and day 11.
Main Results:
- Betamethasone dipropionate (BD) demonstrated significantly higher cure rates during the acute phase of external otitis compared to hydrocortisone with antibiotics (HCPB).
- The BD group experienced significantly less itching (p < 0.01) and lower frequencies of bacterial (p = 0.03) and fungal (p < 0.01) growth on day 11.
- Relapse frequency was lower in the BD group during the six-month follow-up period, with no significant differences in adverse events between groups.
Conclusions:
- Betamethasone dipropionate (BD) ear drops are more effective than HCPB ear drops in treating external otitis, including cases with bacterial or fungal infections.
- BD offers better symptom control and lower relapse rates, with comparable safety profiles to combination therapies.
- A potent steroid solution like BD is recommended as a preferred treatment for external otitis due to its superior efficacy and cost-effectiveness.