Predictors of poor outcome and benefits from antibiotics in children with acute otitis media: pragmatic randomised trial |
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| Authors: | Paul Little Clare Gould Michael Moore Greg Warner Joan Dunleavey Ian Williamson |
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| Affiliation: | aCommunity Clinical Sciences (Primary Medical Care Group), University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton SO15 6ST, bThree Swans Surgery, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1DX, cNightingale Surgery, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 7QN;Centre for General Practice, University of Queensland Medical School, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia |
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| Abstract: | ObjectivesTo identify which children with acute otitis media are at risk of poor outcome and to assess benefit from antibiotics in these children.DesignSecondary analysis of randomised controlled trial cohort.SettingPrimary care.Participants315 children aged 6 months to 10 years.InterventionImmediate or delayed (taken after 72 hours if necessary) antibiotics.ResultsDistress by day three was more likely in children with high temperature (adjusted odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 2.3 to 9.0), vomiting (2.6,1.3 to 5.0), and cough (2.0, 1.1 to 3.8) on day one. Night disturbance by day three was more likely with high temperature 2.4 (1.2 to 4.8), vomiting (2.1,1.1 to 4.0), cough (2.3,1.3 to 4.2), and ear discharge (2.1, 1.2 to 3.9). Among the children with high temperature or vomiting, distress by day three was less likely with immediate antibiotics (32% for immediate v 53% for delayed, χ2=4.0; P=0.045, number needed to treat 5) as was night disturbance (26% v 59%, χ2=9.3; P=0.002; number needed to treat 3). In children without higher temperature or vomiting, immediate antibiotics made little difference to distress by day three (15% v 19%, χ2=0.74; P=0.39) or night disturbance (20% v 27%, χ2=1.6; P=0.20). Addition of cough did not significantly improve prediction of benefit.ConclusionIn children with otitis media but without fever and vomiting antibiotic treatment has little benefit and a poor outcome is unlikely. What is already known on this topicMost children with otitis media will not benefit symptomatically from immediate use of antibioticsIt is unclear which children are more likely to benefit from antibiotics and which features predict poor outcomeWhat this study addsChildren with high temperature or vomiting were more likely to be distressed or have night disturbance three days after seeing the doctorChildren with high temperature or vomiting were more likely to benefit from antibiotics, although it is still reasonable to wait 24-48 hours as many children will settle anywayChildren without high temperature or vomiting were unlikely to have poor outcome and unlikely to benefit from immediate antibiotics |
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