Comparative Impact of Surgical Treatment versus Pharmacological Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Secretory Otitis Media

Objective: This study aimed to compare the impact of surgical treatment (tympanostomy tube insertion) and pharmacological therapy on quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic secretory otitis media (SOM), focusing on symptom alleviation and functional recovery. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, non-randomized study was conducted at Chaohu Hospital, China, involving 80 SOM patients (aged 6–60 years) divided into surgical (n=38) and pharmacological (n=42) groups. QoL was assessed using a modified Chinese Chronic Ear Survey (CCES) before and 2–4 months post-treatment. The CCES evaluated activity restriction, symptom severity, and healthcare utilization. Statistical analysis via SPSS 28.0 included paired and unpaired t-tests. Results: Both treatments significantly improved symptom scores (p<0.05), with surgery showing marginally greater efficacy (surgical group symptom score: 24.14→36.21 vs. pharmacotherapy: 26.47→35.15). However, neither intervention demonstrated statistically significant differences in overall QoL improvement (p>0.05). Activity limitation scores remained unchanged post-treatment (surgical: 13.21→13.28; pharmacotherapy: 13.62→14.91), indicating persistent functional challenges. No demographic factors (gender, education, socioeconomic status) influenced outcomes. Conclusion: While both surgical and pharmacological treatments alleviate SOM symptoms, neither fully restores daily functioning, underscoring incomplete QoL recovery. These findings highlight the need for long-term evaluations and personalized treatment strategies. Future research should address study limitations, including small sample size and lack of laboratory-based assessments, to refine therapeutic approaches for holistic patient well-being.