Comparison of the efficacy of patient self-application versus physician application of triamcinolone acetonide econazole cream in the treatment of otomycosis: a randomized open-label controlled trial.

Objectives: To explore methods for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of otomycosis.

Methods: Using randomised stratification, eligible patients were split into a patient-applied medication group and a physician-applied medication group in order to compare the efficacy and recurrence rates of two treatment approaches.

Results: The primary symptom of otomycosis was ear blockage (35.2 per cent), followed by pruritis (26.7 per cent) and otorrhea (13.6 per cent). Predominant fungi were (50.5 per cent), (15.5 per cent) and (12.5 per cent). The treatment efficacy was 44.7 per cent (34/76) for the patient-applied medication group and 98.6 per cent (71/72) for the physician-applied medication group, with the difference being statistically significant (χ = 52.061, <0.01). The recurrence rate was 35.3 per cent (12/34) for the patient-applied group and 2.8 per cent (2/71) for the physician-applied medication group, also showing a statistically significant difference ( <0.01).

Conclusion: Triamcinolone acetonide econazole cream application by a physician every 2-3 days, three times, effectively cures otomycosis and lowers recurrence.