Clinical otolaryngology and allied sciences
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Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci · Apr 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialRisk factors for persistence of bilateral otitis media with effusion.
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common, episodic condition in childhood. The subset that has persistent bilateral OME is important to identify so that their management can be targeted. Most guidelines suggest a watchful-waiting period before a decision is made on the appropriateness of surgical intervention. ⋯ In this age group, parental report of duration of OME, history of acute otitis media, parental smoking and pars tensa retractions were not significant factors for persistence. These risk factors in combination can increase the odds ratio of persistence more than sixfold. However, the proportion persisting is insufficient to bypass a period of watchful waiting, except perhaps in extreme combinations which apply to less than 7% of the cohort.