Dynamics of ICF domains in children with eustachitis, acute catarrhal otitis media, and otitis media with effusion under various combination therapy regimens

Khrykova A.G., Filatova E.V., Ivanova I.I.

Central State Medical Academy of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia

Background: Diseases of the eustachian tube and middle ear in children are accompanied not only by local ventilation and drainage disturbances but also by changes in sleep, emotions, sensory perception, breathing, speech, and daily activity.
Objective: Evaluation of the dynamics of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) domains in children with eustachitis, acute catarrhal otitis media, and otitis media with effusion under various combination therapy regimens. 
Materials and methods: The study included 466 children aged 3–18 years: 150 with eustachitis, 148 with acute catarrhal otitis media, and 168 with otitis media with effusion. Within each cluster (nosology), three treatment groups were identified: standard drug treatment, standard therapy combined with laser therapy, and combination treatment including laser therapy and ultrasound. Functional status before and after treatment was assessed using 14 ICF domains. Within-group dynamics, the magnitude of improvement, and the proportion of patients with clinical response were analyzed.
Results: Across all nosological clusters, treatment was associated with positive dynamics across most ICF domains. The magnitude of improvement and the proportion of patients with signs of improvement depended on the disease type and the treatment regimen. The most consistent intergroup differences were found in auditory vestibular function, sleep, emotion, respiration, nasal cavity structure status, as well as in domains related to speech and daily activities. A more pronounced functional response was more often observed with the inclusion of physiotherapy factors, especially as part of combination therapy.
Conclusion: The dynamics of the ICF domains is an informative tool for assessing the effectiveness of combination therapy in children with eustachitis, acute catarrhal otitis media, and otitis media with effusion.

For citations: Khrykova A.G., Filatova E.V., Ivanova I.I. Dynamics of ICF domains in children with eustachitis, acute catarrhal otitis media, and otitis media with effusion under various combination therapy regimens. Pharmateca. 2026;33(3):106-112. (In Russ.). DOI: 
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2026.3.106-112

Authors’ contribution: A.G. Khrykova – study concept and design, data collection, research methodology, statistical analysis, writing and editing; E.V. Filatova, I.I. Ivanova – methodological support, data analysis, participation in the development of the article concept, editing.
Conflicts of interest: The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: The study was conducted without any sponsorship.
Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Central State Medical Academy of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Protocol No. 2/2022 dated February 15, 2022.
Patient Consent for Publication: The parents or legal representatives of all minor participants signed voluntary informed consent to participate in the study and process their personal data.
Authors’ Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.

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About the Authors

Anna G. Khrykova, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine with a Course in Clinical Psychology and Pedagogy, Central State Medical Academy of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia;
Anna-Khrykova@mail.ru, eLibrary SPIN: 1839-6638, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2103-9196 (corresponding author)
Elena V. Filatova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Professor, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine with a Course in Clinical Psychology and Pedagogy, Central State Medical Academy of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia; 7533200@mail.ru, eLibrary SPIN: 5470-1139, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3732-6680
Irina I. Ivanova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Professor of the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine with the Course of Clinical Psychology and Pedagogy, Central State Medical Academy of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia; i.ivanova@mail.ru, eLibrary SPIN: 6308-1355, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8943-9321

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