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OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: We systematically reviewed the associations between allergic rhinitis or allergy and otitis media with effusion, by reference to published data. STUDY DESIGN: A meta-analysis of case-controlled studies. DATA SOURCE: Five databases (Pubmed, Highwire, Medline, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched for relevant studies in the English language published prior to November 12, 2015. STUDIES CHOSEN: Studies with clearly defined experimental and control groups, in which the experimental groups had otitis media with effusion together with allergic rhinitis or allergy, were selected. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis on data from the identified cross-sectional and case-controlled studies using fixed- or random-effects models (depending on heterogeneity). We used Reviewer Manager 5.3 software to this end. RESULTS: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in patients with otitis media with effusion and the control groups differed significantly in three studies (P<0.00001), as did the prevalence of allergy (in six studies; P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Allergic rhinitis and allergy appear to be risk factors for otitis media with effusion.