Clinical Trial: Effectiveness of 3% Boric Acid in 70% Alcohol Versus 1% Clotrimazole Solution in Otomycosis Patients

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Effectiveness of 3% Boric Acid in 70% Alcohol Versus 1% Clotrimazole Solution in Otomycosis Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief Summary:

Otomycosis is a superficial fungal infection of the external ear canal. Patients should be treated with cleaning fungal debris combined with topical antifungal agent. There is wide range of topical antifungal agents. However, there is still no consensus of the most effective topical antifungal agents in treatment otomycosis is still lacking.

According to Thai National List of essential medicines for topical antifugal agents are:

  • acetic acid (2% in aqueous and 2% in 70% isopropyl alcohol)
  • boric acid (3% in isopropyl alcohol)
  • gentian violet
  • clotrimazole ear drop. But from literature review, there is no comparative study between boric acid and clotrimazole solution before.

Objective is to compare the clinical effectiveness and adverse events of 1% clotrimazole solution versus 3% boric acid in 70% alcohol for the treatment of otomycosis.


Detailed Summary:

The hypothesis has been formulated by H0 and Ha. H0 = 1% clotrimazole solution has clinical effectiveness not different from 3% boric acid in 70% alcohol for the treatment of otomycosis.

Ha = 1% clotrimazole solution has more clinical effectiveness than 3% boric acid in 70% alcohol for the treatment of otomycosis.

Inclusion criteria:

  • Symptomatic otomycosis, age more than 7 year.
  • Microscopic finding revealed fungus
  • KOH smear positive for fungus

Exclusion criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Tympanic membrane perforation and post mastoid surgery
  • Co-infection of ear e.g. severe otitis externa,severe myringitis which are needed other medication.
  • Previous using topical antibiotic / steroid within 2weeks.
  • During usage of systemic antifungal drug
  • Allergic to 3% boric acid in 70% alcohol or 1% clotrimazole solution. PICO model: P= otomycosis patient I= 1%clotrimazole ear drop C= 3% boric acid O= result of treatment as cure

Sponsor: Khon Kaen Hospital

Current Primary Outcome: result as cure rate of otomycosis [ Time Frame: 1 week after treatment ]

otolaryngologist's microscopic finding


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: adverse effect of treatment [ Time Frame: Five minutes after apply treatment ]

using questionaire to record adverse effect


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Khon Kaen Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: February 22, 2012
Date Started: March 2012
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 27, 2015
Last Verified: April 2015