Associations between symptoms, clinical findings and the short-term prognosis among children with otitis media: A cohort study

ObjectiveOtitis 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.MethodsCohort 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.ResultsSleep 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.ConclusionSleep 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.