Research Projects Archive
Acute Otitis Media
Paul Shekelle and Steven Michael Marcy
The purpose of this task order within the Evidence-Based Practice Center is to develop an evidence report on "Management of Acute Otitis Media." The report will analyze and summarize the findings from published and unpublished data on the following topics:
- The incidence and prevalence of acute otitis media, treatment and management alternatives, the characteristics and the size of the affected populations, and the most affected practice settings and providers
- The burden of illness associated with acute otitis media, including morbidity, mortality, impact on developmental milestones, quality of life, loss of productivity, medical costs to treat the condition, and other economic costs or burdens associated with the condition
- The extent to which there is variation in practice associated with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or management of acute otitis media.
Specific questions to be addressed in the report include the following:
- What clinical characteristics (history, symptoms, physical findings) of children are associated with rapid improvement and with prolonged duration of morbidity during an episode of acute otitis media?
- Does the definition of otitis media vary in different studies, and are these definitions based on different clinical or other characteristics?
- Are antibiotics (compared with placebo) effective in the treatment of acute otitis media? Do all children benefit? Are there clinically identifiable subgroups of children for whom antibiotic therapy is of little benefit? Does the specific antibiotic regimen make a difference?
(Completed December 1999)
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