Abstract
Objective: Otitis media (OM) is a common childhood disease and a frequent reason for seeking medical
care in general practice. Only few studies have focused on what happens after diagnosis and initial
treatment of OM. In particular, there is a lack of research on how different patient- and disease-related
factors influence the course of OM. The aim of this study was to analyze to what extent symptoms at the
time of initial diagnosis are associated with the short-term course of otitis media.
Methods: Cohort study in general practice comprising 747 children between 0 and 7 years with a new ear
symptom. At the first consultation the GPs registered symptoms, results of otoscopy and tympanometry,
together with diagnosis and treatment. The children were followed up four weeks later.
Results: Sleep problems at inclusion are statistically significant associated with having one or more
symptom after four weeks in children between 0 and 2 years (OR: 2.02 (95% confidence interval (CI):
1.24–3.31)). If the result of tympanometry is a flat curve, the OR for being referred is 3.24 (CI: 1.61–6.55)
in children between 0 and 2 years compared to children without a flat curve. The OR for being referred in
children between 2 and 7 years with a flat curve is 8.94 (CI: 4.18–19.11) when compared to children
without a flat curve.
Conclusion: Sleep problems at inclusion were the only symptom statistically significant associated with
having one or more symptoms after four weeks in children between 0 and 2 years.
care in general practice. Only few studies have focused on what happens after diagnosis and initial
treatment of OM. In particular, there is a lack of research on how different patient- and disease-related
factors influence the course of OM. The aim of this study was to analyze to what extent symptoms at the
time of initial diagnosis are associated with the short-term course of otitis media.
Methods: Cohort study in general practice comprising 747 children between 0 and 7 years with a new ear
symptom. At the first consultation the GPs registered symptoms, results of otoscopy and tympanometry,
together with diagnosis and treatment. The children were followed up four weeks later.
Results: Sleep problems at inclusion are statistically significant associated with having one or more
symptom after four weeks in children between 0 and 2 years (OR: 2.02 (95% confidence interval (CI):
1.24–3.31)). If the result of tympanometry is a flat curve, the OR for being referred is 3.24 (CI: 1.61–6.55)
in children between 0 and 2 years compared to children without a flat curve. The OR for being referred in
children between 2 and 7 years with a flat curve is 8.94 (CI: 4.18–19.11) when compared to children
without a flat curve.
Conclusion: Sleep problems at inclusion were the only symptom statistically significant associated with
having one or more symptoms after four weeks in children between 0 and 2 years.
| Translated title of the contribution | Associationer mellem symptomer, kliniske fund og den kortsigtede prognose for børn med otitis media: et kohorte studie |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Journal | International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 210-215 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 0165-5876 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |