Otitis Media Clinical Trial
Official title:
N-Acetylcysteine as an Adjunct for Refractory Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) can be particularly difficult to treat as a number of patients do not respond to routine antibiotic or surgical treatments. The current treatment involves administering combination antibiotic anti-inflammatory ear drops such as Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin 0.3% / dexamethasone 0.1%). Although most patients experience a relief of symptoms, a fraction of patients remain refractory to treatment. Recent findings suggest that the addition of N-acetylcysteine (0.5-2%) to Ciprodex is a superior treatment for otitis media with effusion compared to the use of Ciprodex alone.
Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the presence of symptoms, signs, and physical
findings that can result in long-term damage to the middle ear as a result of infection or
inflammation. The condition is defined as chronic drainage from the ear, lasting longer than
12 weeks, through a perforated tympanic membrane. Although the pathogenesis may result from
the actions of inflammatory mediators and cytokines released following an infection, recent
evidence also suggests that biofilm formation may be responsible for sustaining the
inflammatory response that promotes the persistent effusion (1). These patients present a
challenge to otolaryngologists because a number do not respond to typical oral and topical
antibiotics.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant commonly used in the treatment of acetaminophen
overdose, and has well documented mucolytic properties. In vitro, NAC has been shown to
significantly inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilms when used alone or enhance the
antimicrobial effects of other drugs such as ciprofloxacin (3), fosfomycin and tigecycline
when used in combination (4-6). The application of NAC to the middle ear in patients with
tympanostomy tubes has been shown to increase tube longevity, and decrease the replacement of
tubes, recurrence of infection, tympanosclerosis, and subsequent physician visits (7). Recent
findings from a case series suggest that the addition of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to Ciprodex
otic solution is a superior treatment for chronic otitis media compared to Ciprodex alone
(3). Although the practice of supplementing Ciprodex otic solution, a standard pharmacologic
treatment for otitis media, with NAC in order to treat patients with difficult infections
holds therapeutic promise, the efficacy of the treatment has not been objectively assessed in
a controlled study to date in a patient population of adequate size.
The purpose of this study will be to assess the efficacy of Ciprodex augmented with NAC
compared to Ciprodex alone in a blinded study in subjects for whom other therapies for a
chronically draining ear have been ineffective.
Hypothesis:
The cessation of otorrhea is expected to be achieved in a greater number of subjects with
otorrhea treated with Ciprodex otic solution supplemented with NAC compared to Ciprodex
alone. We expect that patients treated with Ciprodex augmented with NAC will experience an
earlier cessation of symptoms and a longer duration of complete response following treatment.
Justification:
The current pharmacologic treatment for CSOM involves combination antibiotic
anti-inflammatory otic drops. Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin 0.3% / dexamethasone 0.1%) has been
shown to be safe and effective in both children and adults with ear infections. Although most
patients experience a relief of symptoms, clinical data from various studies show 10-15%
patients do not respond to treatment (2). Recent findings suggest that the addition of
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to Ciprodex otic solution is a superior treatment for chronic otitis
media compared to Ciprodex alone (3).
Objectives:
The specific aim of this project is to compare the effect of Ciprodex otic solution alone
with the use of Ciprodex augmented with 1.25% NAC in a randomized double-blind trial.
Research Method:
Patients who have experienced at least 1 month of continuous daily otorrhea despite treatment
will be recruited from tertiary otology/neurotology clinics. Patient information, including
previous failed interventions, duration of otorrhea, baseline audiometry, and existing
medical conditions will be documented prior to initiating treatment.
Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups and instructed to
administer 3 drops three times daily in the affected ear for 14 days. One group will use
standard Ciprodex solution; the second group will use Ciprodex to which 0.5mL of 20% NAC was
added to the 7.5mL bottle (final concentration 1.25%)
Follow-up visits will be scheduled in 2 week intervals, where patients will undergo
audiometry re-assessment and treatment progress will be monitored by history and binocular
microscopy. Compliance to treatment will be confirmed during follow-up visits and patients
will be provided fresh otic solution for a further 14 days if the discharge persists, to a
maximum duration of therapy of 8 weeks. During this period patients will be assessed every 2
weeks, as is currently the standard treatment. Potential adverse reactions such as otalgia,
tinnitus, ear fullness, or vertigo will also be documented at each visit. After a maximum of
8 weeks of treatment, patients who continue to experience otorrhea will undergo alternative
treatment regimens which may include oral or topical antibiotics, or surgery. Patients who
have been successfully treated will be monitored at 4 to 6 months to assess whether a
complete and durable cessation of otorrhea has been achieved.
Randomization of the drugs will be performed by the hospital site pharmacists prior to
dispensing the solution to subjects. Random number lists will be generated and randomization
performed in blocks of 4 through the St. Paul's Hospital Pharmacy. The Principle Investigator
will have access to the database should an emergency situation arise.
Statistical Analysis:
Statistical analysis including two-tailed paired Student's t tests will be performed to
compare the treatment duration required before patients experience a cessation of otorrhea
for each of the two treatment groups. Thirty patients (15 per treatment group) are expected
to be recruited for this study.
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