Rheumatoid factor in otitis media with effusion
T. F. DeMaria, R. B. McGhee Jr and D. J. Lim
Because of the pathologic similarities between rheumatoid arthritis and
otitis media with effusion (OME), rheumatoid factor (RF) was measured in
156 human middle ear effusion (MEE) and serum samples from patients with
chronic OME. Using a quantitative latex agglutination test, we were able to
demonstrate RF in the MEEs of 85% of patients with OME. Demonstrable RF
titers were found in only 8% of the patients' serum samples. The titers of
mucoid MEE samples were seven times higher than those observed in serous
MEE samples. The presence of RF was not related to the age of the patient,
the presence of viable bacteria in the MEEs, or history of OME.