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Priner R, Ilan O. Contribution of Treatment with Ear Popper for Hearing in Children with Middle Ear Effusion. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:744. [PMID: 38929323 PMCID: PMC11201665 DOI: 10.3390/children11060744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES we aim to assess the contribution of the EarPopper device to hearing in children with middle ear effusion (MEE). METHODS The study has three parts, including 1. tympanometry and audiometry before and six weeks after using the EarPopper to evaluate the treatment's effect over time compared to a control group; 2. tympanometry before and immediately after using the EarPopper to evaluate immediate changes in middle ear pressure (MEP); 3. length of effect 90 min after use to assess pressure fluctuations over time. RESULTS Part 1 was a follow-up six weeks after using the device, and the patients in the study group that completed the study showed a significant improvement in hearing threshold. The average gain in hearing threshold ranged from 9.1 dB to 14 dB compared to the control group's max improvement of 1.1 dB. In addition, MEP was significantly improved in the study group, as most Type Bs improved to Type A and C. Part 2 was the tympanometry immediately after using EarPopper and showed the majority of Type Cs turned into Type As. The majority of Type Bs remained unchanged. Part 3 was a follow-up 90 min after use; Type Cs that had improved to Type A demonstrated a decrease in pressure and return to negative pressure. CONCLUSIONS use of the EarPopper device for six weeks is associated with an improved hearing threshold and middle ear status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronit Priner
- The Faculty of Communication Disorder, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem 9422408, Israel;
| | - Ophir Ilan
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Webster KE, Mulvaney CA, Galbraith K, Rana M, Marom T, Daniel M, Venekamp RP, Schilder AG, MacKeith S. Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 9:CD015253. [PMID: 37750500 PMCID: PMC10521168 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015253.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear cavity, common amongst young children. The fluid may cause hearing loss. When persistent, it may lead to behavioural problems and a delay in expressive language skills. Management of OME includes watchful waiting, medical, surgical and mechanical treatment. Autoinflation is a self-administered technique, which aims to ventilate the middle ear and encourage middle ear fluid clearance by providing a positive pressure of air in the nose and nasopharynx (using a nasal balloon or other handheld device). This positive pressure (sometimes combined with simultaneous swallow) encourages opening of the Eustachian tube and may help ventilate the middle ear. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy (benefits and harms) of autoinflation for the treatment of otitis media with effusion in children. SEARCH METHODS The Cochrane ENT Information Specialist searched the Cochrane ENT Register; Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; Web of Science; ClinicalTrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 20 January 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials in children aged 6 months to 12 years with unilateral or bilateral OME. We included studies that compared autoinflation with either watchful waiting (no treatment), non-surgical treatment or ventilation tubes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were determined following a multi-stakeholder prioritisation exercise and were: 1) hearing, 2) OME-specific quality of life and 3) pain and distress. Secondary outcomes were: 1) persistence of OME, 2) other adverse effects (including eardrum perforation), 3) compliance or adherence to treatment, 4) receptive language skills, 5) speech development, 6) cognitive development, 7) psychosocial skills, 8) listening skills, 9) generic health-related quality of life, 10) parental stress, 11) vestibular function and 12) episodes of acute otitis media. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. Although we included all measures of hearing assessment, the proportion of children who returned to normal hearing was our preferred method to assess hearing, due to challenges in interpreting the results of mean hearing thresholds. MAIN RESULTS We identified 11 completed studies that met our inclusion criteria (1036 participants). The majority of studies included children aged between 3 and 11 years. Most were carried out in Europe or North America, and they were conducted in both hospital and community settings. All compared autoinflation (using a variety of different methods and devices) to no treatment. Most studies required children to carry out autoinflation two to three times per day, for between 2 and 12 weeks. The outcomes were predominantly assessed just after the treatment phase had been completed. Here we report the effects at the longest follow-up for our main outcome measures. Return to normal hearing The evidence was very uncertain regarding the effect of autoinflation on the return to normal hearing. The longest duration of follow-up was 11 weeks. At this time point, the risk ratio was 2.67 in favour of autoinflation (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73 to 4.12; 85% versus 32%; number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) 2; 1 study, 94 participants), but the certainty of the evidence was very low. Disease-specific quality of life Autoinflation may result in a moderate improvement in quality of life (related to otitis media) after short-term follow-up. One study assessed quality of life using the Otitis Media Questionnaire-14 (OMQ-14) at three months of follow-up. Results were reported as the number of standard deviations above or below zero difference, with a range from -3 (better) to +3 (worse). The mean difference was -0.42 lower (better) for those who received autoinflation (95% CI -0.62 to -0.22; 1 study, 247 participants; low-certainty evidence; the authors report a change of 0.3 as clinically meaningful). Pain and distress caused by the procedure Autoinflation may result in an increased risk of ear pain, but the evidence was very uncertain. One study assessed this outcome, and identified a risk ratio of 3.50 for otalgia in those who received autoinflation, although the overall occurrence of pain was low (95% CI 0.74 to 16.59; 4.4% versus 1.3%; number needed to treat to harm (NNTH) 32; 1 study, 320 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Persistence of OME The evidence suggests that autoinflation may slightly reduce the persistence of OME at three months. Four studies were included, and the risk ratio for persistence of OME was 0.88 for those receiving autoinflation (95% CI 0.80 to 0.97; 4 studies, 483 participants; absolute reduction of 89 people per 1000 with persistent OME; NNTB 12; low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS All the evidence we identified was of low or very low certainty, meaning that we have little confidence in the estimated effects. However, the data suggest that autoinflation may have a beneficial effect on OME-specific quality of life and persistence of OME in the short term, but the effect is uncertain for return to normal hearing and adverse effects. The potential benefits should be weighed against the inconvenience of regularly carrying out autoinflation, and the possible risk of ear pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Webster
- Cochrane ENT, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Caroline A Mulvaney
- Cochrane ENT, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Galbraith
- Cochrane ENT, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mridul Rana
- ENT Department, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Slough, UK
| | - Tal Marom
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ben Gurion University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Mat Daniel
- Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Roderick P Venekamp
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anne Gm Schilder
- evidENT, Ear Institute, University College London, London, UK
- NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Samuel MacKeith
- ENT Department, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Moniri AB, Lino J, Aziz L, Rosenfeld RM. Autoinflation compared to ventilation tubes for treating chronic otitis media with effusion. Acta Otolaryngol 2022; 142:476-483. [PMID: 35787134 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2022.2088855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common cause of acquired hearing loss and surgery in children. Autoinflation has been suggested as an alternative treatment for OME. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to compare treatment outcome with a new autoinflation device versus ventilation tube (VT) surgery or watchful waiting in children with chronic bilateral OME from the waiting list for surgery. METHODS Forty-five children performed autoinflation during four weeks, forty-five were submitted to VT surgery, and twenty-three were enrolled as control group. Tympanometry was performed in the autoinflation and the control groups and audiometry in all groups. RESULTS An equivalent hearing improvement was achieved in the autoinflation and the VT group at one (p=.19), six (p=.23) and twelve (p=.31) months with no significant alteration in the control group. In the autoinflation group 80% of the children avoided surgery and no complications were reported compared to 34% complication rate in the VT group. CONCLUSION Autoinflation achieved an equivalent improvement in hearing thresholds compared to VT surgery for treating OME. SIGNIFICANCE Autoinflation may be a reasonable first-line treatment for children with OME to potentially avoid surgery.Article Summary: The Moniri autoinflation device is well tolerated and an effective alternative to ventilation tubes for treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion in young children.What's known on this subject: Previous studies have shown that autoinflation may reduce effusion in children with otitis media with effusion; however limited compliance to treatment, lack of adequate hearing evaluation, short follow-up time and also lack of comparative data to ventilation tube surgery have been reported.What this study adds: A new device was developed to allow for the performance of autoinflation in young children. The effect is compared to ventilation tube surgery and equivalent improvement in hearing is achieved in the short and the long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin B Moniri
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Campus da Penha, Faro, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - João Lino
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Médicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luaay Aziz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Richard M Rosenfeld
- Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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Abstract
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children.
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Walsh R, Reath J, Gunasekera H, Leach A, Kong K, Askew D, Girosi F, Hu W, Usherwood T, Lujic S, Spurling G, Morris P, Watego C, Harkus S, Woodall C, Tyson C, Campbell L, Hussey S, Abbott P. INFLATE: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing nasal balloon autoinflation to no nasal balloon autoinflation for otitis media with effusion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Trials 2022; 23:309. [PMID: 35421984 PMCID: PMC9009496 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06145-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common and occurs at disproportionately higher rates among Indigenous children. Left untreated, OME can negatively affect language, development, learning, and health and wellbeing throughout the life-course. Currently, OME care includes observation for 3 months followed by consideration of surgical ventilation tube insertion. The use of a non-invasive, low-cost nasal balloon autoinflation device has been found beneficial in other populations but has not been investigated among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. METHODS/DESIGN This multi-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial will determine the effectiveness of nasal balloon autoinflation compared to no nasal balloon autoinflation, for the treatment of OME among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia. Children aged 3-16 years with unilateral or bilateral OME are being recruited from Aboriginal Health Services and the community. The primary outcome is the proportion of children showing tympanometric improvement of OME at 1 month. Improvement is defined as a change from bilateral type B tympanograms to at least one type A or C1 tympanogram, or from unilateral type B tympanogram to type A or C1 tympanogram in the index ear, without deterioration (type A or C1 to type C2, C3, or B tympanogram) in the contralateral ear. A sample size of 340 children (170 in each group) at 1 month will detect an absolute difference of 15% between groups with 80% power at 5% significance. Anticipating a 15% loss to follow-up, 400 children will be randomised. The primary analysis will be by intention to treat. Secondary outcomes include tympanometric changes at 3 and 6 months, hearing at 3 months, ear health-related quality of life (OMQ-14), and cost-effectiveness. A process evaluation including perspectives of parents or carers, health care providers, and researchers on trial implementation will also be undertaken. DISCUSSION INFLATE will answer the important clinical question of whether nasal balloon autoinflation is an effective and acceptable treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with OME. INFLATE will help fill the evidence gap for safe, low-cost, accessible OME therapies. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12617001652369 . Registered on 22 December 2017. The Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry is a primary registry of the WHO ICTRP network and includes all items from the WHO Trial Registration data set. Retrospective registration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Walsh
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jennifer Reath
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Amanda Leach
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Kelvin Kong
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Deborah Askew
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Federico Girosi
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wendy Hu
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Timothy Usherwood
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sanja Lujic
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Geoffrey Spurling
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Inala Indigenous Health Service) Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Peter Morris
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Chelsea Watego
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | - Claudette Tyson
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Sylvia Hussey
- Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, Townsville, Australia
| | - Penelope Abbott
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
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Hay AD, Moore MV, Taylor J, Turner N, Noble S, Cabral C, Horwood J, Prasad V, Curtis K, Delaney B, Damoiseaux R, Domínguez J, Tapuria A, Harris S, Little P, Lovering A, Morris R, Rowley K, Sadoo A, Schilder A, Venekamp R, Wilkes S, Curcin V. Immediate oral versus immediate topical versus delayed oral antibiotics for children with acute otitis media with discharge: the REST three-arm non-inferiority electronic platform-supported RCT. Health Technol Assess 2021; 25:1-76. [PMID: 34816795 DOI: 10.3310/hta25670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute otitis media is a painful infection of the middle ear that is commonly seen in children. In some children, the eardrum spontaneously bursts, discharging visible pus (otorrhoea) into the outer ear. OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical effectiveness of immediate topical antibiotics or delayed oral antibiotics with the clinical effectiveness of immediate oral antibiotics in reducing symptom duration in children presenting to primary care with acute otitis media with discharge and the economic impact of the alternative strategies. DESIGN This was a pragmatic, three-arm, individually randomised (stratified by age < 2 vs. ≥ 2 years), non-inferiority, open-label trial, with economic and qualitative evaluations, supported by a health-record-integrated electronic trial platform [TRANSFoRm (Translational Research and Patient Safety in Europe)] with an internal pilot. SETTING A total of 44 English general practices. PARTICIPANTS Children aged ≥ 12 months and < 16 years whose parents (or carers) were seeking medical care for unilateral otorrhoea (ear discharge) following recent-onset (≤ 7 days) acute otitis media. INTERVENTIONS (1) Immediate ciprofloxacin (0.3%) solution, four drops given three times daily for 7 days, or (2) delayed 'dose-by-age' amoxicillin suspension given three times daily (clarithromycin twice daily if the child was penicillin allergic) for 7 days, with structured delaying advice. All parents were given standardised information regarding symptom management (paracetamol/ibuprofen/fluids) and advice to complete the course. COMPARATOR Immediate 'dose-by-age' oral amoxicillin given three times daily (or clarithromycin given twice daily) for 7 days. Parents received standardised symptom management advice along with advice to complete the course. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Time from randomisation to the first day on which all symptoms (pain, fever, being unwell, sleep disturbance, otorrhoea and episodes of distress/crying) were rated 'no' or 'very slight' problem (without need for analgesia). METHODS Participants were recruited from routine primary care appointments. The planned sample size was 399 children. Follow-up used parent-completed validated symptom diaries. RESULTS Delays in software deployment and configuration led to small recruitment numbers and trial closure at the end of the internal pilot. Twenty-two children (median age 5 years; 62% boys) were randomised: five, seven and 10 to immediate oral, delayed oral and immediate topical antibiotics, respectively. All children received prescriptions as randomised. Seven (32%) children fully adhered to the treatment as allocated. Symptom duration data were available for 17 (77%) children. The median (interquartile range) number of days until symptom resolution in the immediate oral, delayed oral and immediate topical antibiotic arms was 6 (4-9), 4 (3-7) and 4 (3-6), respectively. Comparative analyses were not conducted because of small numbers. There were no serious adverse events and six reports of new or worsening symptoms. Qualitative clinician interviews showed that the trial question was important. When the platform functioned as intended, it was liked. However, staff reported malfunctioning software for long periods, resulting in missed recruitment opportunities. Troubleshooting the software placed significant burdens on staff. LIMITATIONS The over-riding weakness was the failure to recruit enough children. CONCLUSIONS We were unable to answer the main research question because of a failure to reach the required sample size. Our experience of running an electronic platform-supported trial in primary care has highlighted challenges from which we have drawn recommendations for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the research community. These should be considered before such a platform is used again. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12873692 and EudraCT 2017-003635-10. FUNDING This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 67. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair D Hay
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael V Moore
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jodi Taylor
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicholas Turner
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sian Noble
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Christie Cabral
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Vibhore Prasad
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kathryn Curtis
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Brendan Delaney
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Roger Damoiseaux
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care & Department of Otorhinolaryngology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jesús Domínguez
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Archana Tapuria
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sue Harris
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Andrew Lovering
- Department of Medical Microbiology, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Morris
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Rowley
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Annie Sadoo
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Anne Schilder
- Ear Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roderick Venekamp
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care & Department of Otorhinolaryngology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Scott Wilkes
- School of Medicine, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK
| | - Vasa Curcin
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Joshi K. Is nasal balloon autoinflation an effective treatment for children with glue ear? Arch Dis Child 2021; 106:923-925. [PMID: 33455904 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Joshi
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Can party balloons replace autoinflation balloons to treat glue ear? A technical comparison. BJGP Open 2021; 5:BJGPO.2020.0178. [PMID: 33589466 PMCID: PMC8278505 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2020.0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autoinflation balloons are used to treat patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) to help avoid surgery. Aim To compare the ability of party balloons with Otovent balloons to produce sufficient pressure for a Valsalva manoeuvre. Design & setting Pressure testing was used to determine the number of times each balloon could produce pressures sufficient for a Valsalva manoeuvre. Subsequently, Otovent balloons were compared with spherical party balloons in a pilot clinical trial of 12 healthy adults. Method Each balloon was inflated 20 times and the maximum pressure was recorded. Three balloons of each type were tested to 50 inflations to assess pressures over persistent use. Results Otovent balloons’ mean inflation pressure was 93 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] = 89 to 97 mmHg) on first inflation, dropping to 83 mmHg (95% CI = 80 to 86 mmHg) after 20 inflations. Two types of spherical party balloon required mean inflation pressures of 84 mmHg (95% CI = 77 to 90 mmHg) and 108 mmHg (95% CI = 97 to 119 mmHg) on first inflation, dropping to 74 mmHg (95% CI = 68 to 81 mmHg) and 83 mmHg (95% CI = 77 to 88 mmHg) after 20 inflations. In the pilot trial, there was no difference between the ability of Otovent and spherical balloons (χ2 = 0.24, P = 0.89) to produce the sensation of a Valsalva manoeuvre. Conclusion Otovent balloons can be used more than the 20 times quoted by the manufacturer. The two spherical balloons produced similar pressures to Otovent balloons, indicating potentially the same clinical effect. The pilot study suggests a potential use of spherical party balloons instead of Otovent balloons as a cost-efficient treatment.
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The P.E.A.N.U.T. Method: Update on an Integrative System Approach for the Treatment of Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion and Adenoid Hypertrophy in Children. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020134. [PMID: 33573118 PMCID: PMC7911258 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Based on our previous single-center study on optimization of treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children using a noninvasive system approach to lower the necessity of antibiotics, analgesic use, and surgical interventions, we proceeded to perform a multicenter investigation in an outpatient setting. The purpose of the previous prospective study in 2013-2015 was to compare outcomes in the treatment of COME and AH using the noninvasive multimodal integrative method (IM) versus conventional treatment practice (COM). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this paper, we retrospectively analyze the data of patients treated with the integrative method between 2017 and 2020 in a multicenter setting and compared the outcomes with data from 2013-2015 in order to evaluate generalizability. In both periods, all eligible and willing participants were included and treated with the IM protocol under real-life conditions. The treatment involved pneumatization exercises, education, an antiallergic diet, nasal hygiene, useful constitutional therapy, and thermal interventions (P.E.A.N.U.T.). A total of 48 versus 28 patients, aged 1-8, were assessed, presenting with COME and AH, with moderate to severe hearing impairment at entry. RESULTS The significant improvement found in both audiometric measures (intact hearing) and tympanometric measures (normal A-type curve) was similar in both datasets with respect to conventional treatment. The new data confirms that the P.E.A.N.U.T. method results in a significant reduction of antibiotics, analgesic use, and surgical interventions. CONCLUSION In this multicenter trial, we confirm the effectiveness of the noninvasive system approach for the treatment of COME in lowering the need for antibiotics and analgesic use and elective surgery. This could be especially important with respect to a generally observed increase in antibiotic resistance. The method is easy to perform in different clinical settings and is effective, safe, and well-tolerated.
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Edwards L, Cannings-John R, Butler C, Francis N. Identifying factors associated with spontaneous restoration of hearing in children with otitis media with effusion. Clin Otolaryngol 2020; 46:243-248. [PMID: 33012126 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify predictors of acceptable hearing at 5 weeks, 6 and 12 months in children with bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME). DESIGN AND SETTING Secondary analysis of OSTRICH data, conducted in hospital ear, nose and throat (ENT) and paediatric audiology and audiovestibular medicine departments across Wales and England. PARTICIPANTS The OSTRICH study included 389 children aged 2-8 years with bilateral hearing loss attributable toOME for at least 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Baseline, 5-week, 6- and 12-month audiology measurements were collected and logistic regression models used to identify pre-randomisation baseline variables that predicted return of acceptable hearing, which was defined as less than or equal to 20 dB hearing loss averaged within the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in at least one ear in children assessed by pure tone audiometry, ear-specific insert visual reinforcement audiometry or ear-specific play audiometry less than or equal to 25 dB hearing loss averaged within the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in children assessed by sound-field visual reinforcement audiometry or sound-field performance/play audiometry, based on national guidelines. RESULTS Less severe baseline hearing loss across both ears most consistently predicted acceptable hearing at 5 weeks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.95), 6 months (0.94 [0.90-0.98]) and 12 months (0.93 [0.89-0.97]). Negative history of atopy (2.05 [1.16-3.61]), never using hearing aids (aOR 2.16 [1.04-4.48]), and being male (1.75 [1.02-2.99]) were significant at 6 months, but not at 12 months. Symptom duration was a predictor at 5 weeks, but not at 6 or 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Milder baseline hearing loss most consistently predicts acceptable hearing at 5 weeks, 6 and 12 months in children with chronic OME. Negative history of atopy, never using hearing aids, and male gender are associated with better prognosis. These predictors can be used to identify children that may not require treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nick Francis
- Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Abstract
Motile cilia are highly complex hair-like organelles of epithelial cells lining the surface of various organ systems. Genetic mutations (usually with autosomal recessive inheritance) that impair ciliary beating cause a variety of motile ciliopathies, a heterogeneous group of rare disorders. The pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical symptoms and severity of the disease depend on the specific affected genes and the tissues in which they are expressed. Defects in the ependymal cilia can result in hydrocephalus, defects in the cilia in the fallopian tubes or in sperm flagella can cause female and male subfertility, respectively, and malfunctional motile monocilia of the left-right organizer during early embryonic development can lead to laterality defects such as situs inversus and heterotaxy. If mucociliary clearance in the respiratory epithelium is severely impaired, the disorder is referred to as primary ciliary dyskinesia, the most common motile ciliopathy. No single test can confirm a diagnosis of motile ciliopathy, which is based on a combination of tests including nasal nitric oxide measurement, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and genetic analyses, and high-speed video microscopy. With the exception of azithromycin, there is no evidence-based treatment for primary ciliary dyskinesia; therapies aim at relieving symptoms and reducing the effects of reduced ciliary motility.
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Stuart B, Becque T, Moore M, Little P. Clustering of continuous and binary outcomes at the general practice level in individually randomised studies in primary care - a review of 10 years of primary care trials. BMC Med Res Methodol 2020; 20:83. [PMID: 32293280 PMCID: PMC7158044 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-00971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In randomised controlled trials, the assumption of independence of individual observations is fundamental to the design, analysis and interpretation of studies. However, in individually randomised trials in primary care, this assumption may be violated because patients are naturally clustered within primary care practices. Ignoring clustering may lead to a loss of power or, in some cases, type I error. METHODS Clustering can be quantified by intra-cluster correlation (ICC), a measure of the similarity between individuals within a cluster with respect to a particular outcome. We reviewed 17 trials undertaken by the Department of Primary Care at the University of Southampton over the last ten years. We calculated the ICC for the primary and secondary outcomes in each trial at the practice level and determined whether ignoring practice-level clustering still gave valid inferences. Where multiple studies collected the same outcome measure, the median ICC was calculated for that outcome. RESULTS The median intra-cluster correlation (ICC) for all outcomes was 0.016, with interquartile range 0.00-0.03. The median ICC for symptom severity was 0.02 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.01 to 0.07) and for reconsultation with new or worsening symptoms was 0.01 (IQR 0.00, 0.07). For HADS anxiety the ICC was 0.04 (IQR 0.02, 0.05) and for HADS depression was 0.02 (IQR 0.00, 0.05). The median ICC for EQ. 5D-3 L was 0.01 (IQR 0.01, 0.04). CONCLUSIONS There is evidence of clustering in individually randomised trials primary care. The non-zero ICC suggests that, depending on study design, clustering may not be ignorable. It is important that this is fully considered at the study design phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Stuart
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK.
| | - Taeko Becque
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK
| | - Michael Moore
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK
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杨 军, 李 姝. [Standard treatment of otitis media with effusion in children]. LIN CHUANG ER BI YAN HOU TOU JING WAI KE ZA ZHI = JOURNAL OF CLINICAL OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, HEAD, AND NECK SURGERY 2020; 34:199-202. [PMID: 32791581 PMCID: PMC10127858 DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- 军 杨
- 上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科 上海交通大学医学院耳科学研究所 上海市耳鼻疾病转化医学重点实验室(上海,200092)
| | - 姝娜 李
- 上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科 上海交通大学医学院耳科学研究所 上海市耳鼻疾病转化医学重点实验室(上海,200092)
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Homøe P, Heidemann CH, Damoiseaux RA, Lailach S, Lieu JEC, Phillips JS, Venekamp RP. Panel 5: Impact of otitis media on quality of life and development. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 130 Suppl 1:109837. [PMID: 31883704 PMCID: PMC7197055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize recent advances in knowledge on otitis media (OM) and quality of life (QoL) and development by synthesizing relevant research in this field published between June 1., 2015 until June 1., 2019. DATA SOURCES Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library using predefined database-specific syntaxes. REVIEW METHODS Articles selected were randomized controlled trials and observational studies with an adequate control group estimating treatment effects of OM including acute OM (AOM), recurrent AOM (RAOM), OM with effusion (OME), chronic OM (COM) and chronic suppurative OM (CSOM). Items included were Health Status, Health Status Indicators, Quality of Life, Functional Status, Specific Learning Disorder, Developmental Disabilities, Language Development Disorders, and Problem Behavior. RESULTS The electronic database searches yielded a total of 699 records. After screening titles and abstracts, we identified 34 potentially eligible articles. Of these, 18 were excluded. This left 15 articles suitable for inclusion. CONCLUSIONS Although evidence is accumulating that OM may significantly impair children's QoL and development as well as caregiver's QoL, studies on this topic are relatively scarce and vary substantially in terms of methodological quality and outcome measurement instruments (OMI) used. In this review, studies have used 10 different OMIs capturing a wide range of OM symptoms as well as generic and disease-specific QoL outcomes. OM was associated with negative effects on auditory processing, language and speech development, school readiness, social competence, psychosocial wellbeing, and sleep. We found only four relevant randomized controlled trials, which mostly failed to demonstrate superiority of interventions in terms of QoL improvement and reports on reversibility are lacking. This underpins the urgent need for high quality studies in this field using validated and uniform OMIs. To facilitate interpretation and harmonization of study findings, we suggest and support the development of a core outcome set for the various OM entities that should include the most reliable and meaningful QoL and developmental OMIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preben Homøe
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Roger Amj Damoiseaux
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Susen Lailach
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Dresden University, Germany
| | - Judith E C Lieu
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - John S Phillips
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Roderick P Venekamp
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
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Sanyaolu LN, Cannings-John R, Butler CC, Francis NA. The effect of ventilation tube insertion on quality of life in children with persistent otitis media with effusion. Clin Otolaryngol 2020; 45:239-247. [PMID: 31869494 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of ventilation tube (VT) surgery on quality of life (QoL) in children with persistent otitis media with effusion (OME). DESIGN Secondary analysis of trial data (oral steroids versus placebo for persistent OME), comparing QoL by history of VT surgery performed between 5 weeks and 12 months post-randomisation. Multilevel regression models were used to identify the association between VT surgery and QoL scores at 12 months, controlling for pre-exposure risk factors associated with surgery, including pre-surgery hearing level. SETTING Ear, nose and throat (ENT), paediatric audiology and audiovestibular medicine (AVM) departments in Wales and England. PARTICIPANTS A total of 327 children aged 2-8 years with OME symptoms for at least three months and audiometry-proven bilateral hearing loss with VT surgery status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Otitis Media questionnaire (OM8-30) and Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) total and subscale scores, and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) at 12 months post-randomisation. RESULTS Participants who had VT surgery had no significant difference in OM8-30, PedsQL or HUI total scores. OM8-30 hearing difficulty (HD) subscale scores at 12 months were better in those who had VT surgery (adjusted mean difference (aMD) = -0.46 (95% confidence interval: -0.69 to -0.23), P < .001), and this varied by when the surgery occurred (aMD for surgery between 5 weeks and 6 months = -0.4 [-0.67 to -0.13], P = .004 and between 6 and 12 months = -0.54, [-0.87 to -0.22], P = .001). CONCLUSION Ventilation tube surgery was associated with an improvement in HD-related functional health status but no change in overall QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nick A Francis
- The Division of Population Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
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Eustachian tube balloon dilatation: a cross-sectional, survey-based study of 137 UK consultants. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2019; 134:41-45. [DOI: 10.1017/s0022215119002561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo explore the opinions of the UK consultant body on endoscopic Eustachian tube balloon dilatation in the context of Eustachian tube dysfunction.MethodA 10-question online survey was distributed to ENT consultants currently practising in the UK (July–September 2018).ResultsA total of 137 ENT consultants responded. Twenty-three per cent reported experience of Eustachian tube balloon dilatation, with a further 10 per cent planning to start performing the procedure. Of those performing the procedure, 16 per cent had more than two years’ experience. Thirty-two per cent were performing zero to five procedures a year. Eustachian tube balloon dilatation was primarily conducted to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms, as well as retraction pockets, baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion. The most common reason for not undertaking Eustachian tube balloon dilatation was insufficient evidence of efficacy (65 per cent). Seventy-two per cent of consultants thought that creating a national database for audit and monitoring purposes would benefit the specialty.ConclusionThe majority of UK ENT consultants do not practise Eustachian tube balloon dilatation, citing a lack of high-level evidence to support its use. A national database for auditing and research could facilitate the creation of guidelines.
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Francis NA, Waldron CA, Cannings-John R, Thomas-Jones E, Winfield T, Shepherd V, Harris D, Hood K, Fitzsimmons D, Roberts A, Powell CV, Gal M, Jones S, Butler CC. Oral steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children aged 2-8 years: the OSTRICH RCT. Health Technol Assess 2019; 22:1-114. [PMID: 30407151 DOI: 10.3310/hta22610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion (OME) are commonly managed through surgical intervention, hearing aids or watchful waiting. A safe, inexpensive, effective medical treatment would enhance treatment options. Small, poorly conducted trials have found a short-term benefit from oral steroids. OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a 7-day course of oral steroids in improving hearing at 5 weeks in children with persistent OME symptoms and current bilateral OME and hearing loss demonstrated by audiometry. DESIGN Double-blind, individually randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Ear, nose and throat outpatient or paediatric audiology and audiovestibular medicine clinics in Wales and England. PARTICIPANTS Children aged 2-8 years, with symptoms of hearing loss attributable to OME for at least 3 months, a diagnosis of bilateral OME made on the day of recruitment and audiometry-confirmed hearing loss. INTERVENTIONS A 7-day course of oral soluble prednisolone, as a single daily dose of 20 mg for children aged 2-5 years or 30 mg for 6- to 8-year-olds, or matched placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Acceptable hearing at 5 weeks from randomisation. Secondary outcomes comprised acceptable hearing at 6 and 12 months, tympanometry, otoscopic findings, health-care consultations related to OME and other resource use, proportion of children who had ventilation tube (grommet) surgery at 6 and 12 months, adverse effects, symptoms, functional health status, health-related quality of life, short- and longer-term cost-effectiveness. RESULTS A total of 389 children were randomised. Satisfactory hearing at 5 weeks was achieved by 39.9% and 32.8% in the oral steroid and placebo groups, respectively (absolute difference of 7.1%, 95% confidence interval -2.8% to 16.8%; number needed to treat = 14). This difference was not statistically significant. The secondary outcomes were consistent with the picture of a small or no benefit, and we found no subgroups that achieved a meaningful benefit from oral steroids. The economic analysis showed that treatment with oral steroids was more expensive and accrued fewer quality-adjusted life-years than treatment as usual. However, the differences were small and not statistically significant, and the sensitivity analyses demonstrated large variation in the results. CONCLUSIONS OME in children with documented hearing loss and attributable symptoms for at least 3 months has a high rate of spontaneous resolution. Discussions about watchful waiting and other interventions will be enhanced by this evidence. The findings of this study suggest that any benefit from a short course of oral steroids for OME is likely to be small and of questionable clinical significance, and that the treatment is unlikely to be cost-effective and, therefore, their use cannot be recommended. FUTURE WORK Studies exploring optimal approaches to sharing natural history data and enhancing shared decision-making are needed for this condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN49798431 and EudraCT 2012-005123-32. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 22, No. 61. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick A Francis
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Winfield
- College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Debbie Harris
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kerenza Hood
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Amanda Roberts
- Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Child Health Directorate, St David's Children Centre, Cardiff, UK
| | - Colin Ve Powell
- Department of General Paediatrics, Children's Hospital for Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Micaela Gal
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sarah Jones
- Involving People Network, Health and Care Research Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Christopher C Butler
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Pneumocephalus and orbital emphysema associated with the use of an autoinflation device: a unique case report and review of the literature. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2019; 133:157-160. [PMID: 30898187 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215119000070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoinflation devices are commonly used for otitis media with effusion and Eustachian tube dysfunction. Generally, these are very safe devices, with few or no complications.Case reportThis paper presents a case study of pneumocephalus and orbital emphysema, associated with the use of an autoinflation device, in a 73-year-old woman with Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion, and a history of extensive endoscopic sinus surgery 13 years previously. CONCLUSION A literature review showed autoinflation-related pneumocephalus in patients with skull base defects relating to cranial surgery or tumours; however, this has not been described previously with the Otovent system or its use in relation to functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Given the theoretical risk of undetected bony abnormalities in post-operative functional endoscopic sinus surgery patients, it is suggested that autoinflation devices are used cautiously in patients with a history of sinus surgery.
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Nasal balloon autoinflation for glue ear in primary care: a qualitative interview study. Br J Gen Pract 2018; 69:e24-e32. [PMID: 30510093 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp18x700217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasal balloon autoinflation is an effective, non-surgical treatment for symptomatic children with glue ear, although uptake is variable and evidence about acceptability and feasibility is limited. AIM To explore parent and healthcare professional views and experiences of nasal balloon autoinflation for children with glue ear in primary care. DESIGN AND SETTING Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with a maximum-variety sample of parents, GPs, and practice nurses. The study took place between February 2013 and September 2014. METHOD Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS In all, 14 parents, 31 GPs, and 19 nurses were included in the study. Parents described the nasal balloon as a natural, holistic treatment that was both acceptable and appealing to children. GPs and nurses perceived the method to be a low-cost, low-risk strategy, applicable to the primary care setting. Good instruction and demonstration ensured children mastered the technique and engaged with the treatment, but uncertainties were raised about training provision and potential impact on the GP consultation. Making nasal balloon autoinflation part of a child's daily routine enhances compliance, but difficulties can arise if children are unwell or refuse to cooperate. CONCLUSION Nasal balloon autoinflation is an acceptable, low-cost treatment option for children with glue ear in primary care. Provision of educational materials and demonstration of the method are likely to promote uptake and compliance. Wider use of the nasal balloon has the potential to enhance early management, and may help to fill the management gap arising from forthcoming changes to care pathways.
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Francis NA, Cannings-John R, Waldron CA, Thomas-Jones E, Winfield T, Shepherd V, Harris D, Hood K, Fitzsimmons D, Roberts A, Powell C, Gal M, Butler CC. Oral steroids for resolution of otitis media with effusion in children (OSTRICH): a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised trial. Lancet 2018; 392:557-568. [PMID: 30152390 PMCID: PMC6099122 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with persistent hearing loss due to otitis media with effusion are commonly managed by surgical intervention. A safe, cheap, and effective medical treatment would enhance treatment options. Underpowered, poor-quality trials have found short-term benefit from oral steroids. We aimed to investigate whether a short course of oral steroids would achieve acceptable hearing in children with persistent otitis media with effusion and hearing loss. METHODS In this individually randomised, parallel, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial we recruited children aged 2-8 years with symptoms attributable to otitis media with effusion for at least 3 months and with confirmed bilateral hearing loss. Participants were recruited from 20 ear, nose, and throat (ENT), paediatric audiology, and audiovestibular medicine outpatient departments in England and Wales. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to sequentially numbered identical prednisolone (oral steroid) or placebo packs by use of computer-generated random permuted block sizes stratified by site and child's age. The primary outcome was audiometry-confirmed acceptable hearing at 5 weeks. All analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, number ISRCTN49798431. FINDINGS Between March 20, 2014, and April 5, 2016, 1018 children were screened, of whom 389 were randomised. 200 were assigned to receive oral steroids and 189 to receive placebo. Hearing at 5 weeks was assessed in 183 children in the oral steroid group and in 180 in the placebo group. Acceptable hearing was observed in 73 (40%) children in the oral steroid group and in 59 (33%) in the placebo group (absolute difference 7% [95% CI -3 to 17], number needed to treat 14; adjusted odds ratio 1·36 [95% CI 0·88-2·11]; p=0·16). There was no evidence of any significant differences in adverse events or quality-of-life measures between the groups. INTERPRETATION Otitis media with effusion in children with documented hearing loss and attributable symptoms for at least 3 months has a high rate of spontaneous resolution. A short course of oral prednisolone is not an effective treatment for most children aged 2-8 years with persistent otitis media with effusion, but is well tolerated. One in 14 children might achieve improved hearing but not quality of life. Discussions about watchful waiting and other interventions will be supported by this evidence. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick A Francis
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Rebecca Cannings-John
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cherry-Ann Waldron
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Emma Thomas-Jones
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Tom Winfield
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, College of Human Health Sciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Victoria Shepherd
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Debbie Harris
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kerenza Hood
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Deborah Fitzsimmons
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, College of Human Health Sciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Amanda Roberts
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Child Health Directorate, St David's Children Centre, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, UK
| | - Colin Powell
- Department of General Paediatrics, Children's Hospital for Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Micaela Gal
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Christopher C Butler
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
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Simon F, Haggard M, Rosenfeld RM, Jia H, Peer S, Calmels MN, Couloigner V, Teissier N. International consensus (ICON) on management of otitis media with effusion in children. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis 2018; 135:S33-S39. [PMID: 29398506 DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common childhood disease defined as the presence of liquid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of acute ear infection. Children can be impacted mainly with hearing impairment and/or co-occurring recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) thus requiring treatment. Although many meta-analyses and national guidelines have been issued, management remains difficult to standardize, and use of surgical and medical treatments continue to vary. We convened an international consensus conference as part of the 2017 International Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies Congress, to identify best practices in OME management. Overall, regional differences were minor and consensual management was obtained on several important issues. At initial assessment, although a thorough medical examination is necessary to seek reflux, allergy or nasal obstruction symptoms; an age-appropriate auditory test is the only assessment required in children without abnormal history. Non-surgical treatments poorly address the underlying problem of an age-dependent dysfunctional Eustachian tube; auto-inflation seems to be the only beneficial, low-risk and low-cost non-surgical therapy. There was a clear international recommendation against using steroids, antibiotics, decongestants or antihistamines to treat OME, because of side-effects, cost issues and no convincing evidence of long-term effectiveness. Decisions to insert tympanostomy ventilation tubes should be based on an auditory test but also take into account the child's context and overall hearing difficulties. Tubes significantly improve hearing and reduce the number of recurrent AOM with effusion while in place. Adjuvant adenoidectomy should be considered in children over four years of age, and in those with significant nasal obstruction or infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Simon
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris-Descartes University, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
| | - M Haggard
- Department of Psychology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - R M Rosenfeld
- Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450, Clarkson avenue, MSC 126, Brooklyn, NY 11203, United States of America
| | - H Jia
- Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital & Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - S Peer
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town,, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - M-N Calmels
- Department of Otolaryngology, Purpan Hospital, Paul-Sabatier-Toulouse-3 University, CHU de Toulouse, 1, place du Dr-Baylac, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - V Couloigner
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris-Descartes University, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
| | - N Teissier
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris-Diderot University, AP-HP, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France.
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Gan RWC, Daniel M, Ridley M, Barry JG. Quality of questionnaires for the assessment of otitis media with effusion in children. Clin Otolaryngol 2017; 43:572-583. [PMID: 29106777 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Audiometric tests provide information about hearing in otitis media with effusion (OME). Questionnaires can supplement this information by supporting clinical history-taking as well as potentially providing a standardized and comprehensive assessment of the impact of the disease on a child. There are many possible candidate questionnaires. This study aimed to assess the quality and usability of parent / child questionnaires in OME assessment. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fifteen, published questionnaires, commonly used in audiological departments (Auditory Behaviour in Everyday Life (ABEL), Children's Auditory Performance Scale (CHAPS), Children's Home Inventory for Listening Difficulties (CHILD), Children's Outcome Worksheets (COW), Evaluation of Children's Listening and Processing Skills (ECLiPS), Early Listening Function (ELF), Fisher's Auditory Problem Checklist (FAPC), Hearing Loss 7 (HL-7), Listening Inventory for Education- Revised (LIFE-R Student), Listening Inventory for Education UK Individual Hearing Profile (LIFE-UK IHP), LittlEARS Auditory Questionnaire (LittlEARS), Listening Situations Questionnaire (LSQ), Otitis Media 6 (OM-6), Quality of Life in Children's Ear Problems (OMQ-14), Parents' Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) were assessed according to the following 8 criteria: conceptual clarity, respondent burden, reliability, validity, normative data, item bias, ceiling/ floor effects, and administrative burden. RESULTS ECLiPS, LittlEARS and PEACH scored highest overall based on the assessment criteria established for this study. None of the questionnaires fully satisfied all 8 criteria. Although all questionnaires assessed issues considered to be of at least adequate relevance to OME, the majority had weaknesses with respect to the assessment of psychometric properties, such as item bias, floor/ceiling effects or measurement reliability and validity. Publications reporting on the evaluation of reliability, validity, normative data, item bias and ceiling/floor effects were not available for most of the questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS This formal evaluation of questionnaires, currently available to clinicians, highlights three questionnaires as potentially offering a useful adjunct in the assessment of OME in clinical or research settings. These were the ECLiPS, which is suitable for children aged 6 years and older, and either the LittlEARS or the PEACH for younger children. The latter two are narrowly focused on hearing, whereas ECLiPS has a broader focus on listening, language and social difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W C Gan
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - M Daniel
- ENT Department, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK
| | - M Ridley
- Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research, School of Medicine, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - J G Barry
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.,Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research, School of Medicine, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Vila PM, Thomas T, Liu C, Poe D, Shin JJ. The Burden and Epidemiology of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017; 156:278-284. [DOI: 10.1177/0194599816683342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Vila
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tom Thomas
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carrie Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Dennis Poe
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Shin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Babić I, Baudoin T, Trotić R, Bedeković V. Therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin and acetylcysteine in chronic otitis media with effusion. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 274:1351-1356. [PMID: 27873023 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-016-4389-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease in childhood. There is no consensus on the optimal therapeutic option for OME. Considering the known efficacy of acetylcysteine (AC) and azithromycin (AZ) in the treatment of middle ear mucosa, the aim of the study was to assess their efficacy in the management of chronic OME. The study included 90 children with OME, both ears. They are divided into three groups of 30 children. Group 1 (AC) patients were treated with acetylcysteine per os, 3 × 100 mg, for 3 weeks; group 2 (AZ) with body weight adjusted dose of azithromycin for 3 days; and group 3 (AC + AZ) with a combination of acetylcysteine and azithromycin at doses described above. Three measurements were performed. On second measurement, tympanogram improvement was recorded in 45% of 60 ears in group I, 53.3% of 60 ears in group II, and 61.7% of 60 ears in group III. The percentage of improvement was highest in group III. Although between-group differences did not reach statistical significance, the results obtained appear to be clinically relevant. In conclusion, conservative therapy for chronic OME is reasonable. Although study results don't have a strong statistical differences and may not refer clinical improvement results suggest that this combination of drugs (antibiotics, bronchosecretolytics) can be useful in the treatment of OME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Babić
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tomislav Baudoin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice Zagreb, University School of Medicine, Vinogradska Cesta 29, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Trotić
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice Zagreb, University School of Medicine, Vinogradska Cesta 29, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Bedeković
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice Zagreb, University School of Medicine, Vinogradska Cesta 29, Zagreb, Croatia
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Waldron CA, Thomas-Jones E, Cannings-John R, Hood K, Powell C, Roberts A, Tomkinson A, Fitzsimmons D, Gal M, Harris D, Shepherd V, Butler CC, Francis N. Oral steroids for the resolution of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (OSTRICH): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2016; 17:115. [PMID: 26931619 PMCID: PMC4774139 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear affecting about 80 % of children by the age of 4 years. While OME usually resolves spontaneously, it can affect speech, behaviour and development. Children with persistent hearing loss associated with OME are usually offered hearing aids or insertion of ventilation tubes through the tympanic membrane. Oral steroids may be a safe and effective treatment for OME, which could be delivered in primary care. Treatment with oral steroids has the potential to benefit large numbers of children and reduce the burden of care on them and on health services. However, previous trials have either been too small with too short a follow-up period, or of too poor quality to give a definite answer. The aim of the Oral Steroids for the Resolution of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children (OSTRICH) trial is to determine if a short course of oral steroids improves the hearing of children with OME in the short and longer term. METHODS/DESIGN A total of 380 participants (children of 2 to 8 years of age) are recruited from Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat departments in Wales and England. A trained clinician seeks informed consent from parents of children with symptoms for at least 3 months that are attributable to OME and with confirmed bilateral hearing loss at study entry. Participants are randomised to a course of oral steroid or a matched placebo for 1 week. Outcomes include audiometry, tympanometry and otoscopy assessments; symptoms; adverse effects; functional health status; quality of life; resource use; and cost effectiveness. Participants are followed up at 5 weeks, and at 6 and 12 months after the day of randomisation. The primary outcome is audiometry-confirmed satisfactory hearing at 5 weeks. DISCUSSION An important evidence gap exists regarding the clinical and cost effectiveness of short courses of oral steroid treatment for OME. Identifying an effective, safe, nonsurgical intervention for OME in children for use in primary care would be of great benefit to children, their families and the NHS. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN ISRCTN49798431 (Registered 7 December 2012).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherry-Ann Waldron
- South East Wales Trials Unit, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, 7th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Emma Thomas-Jones
- South East Wales Trials Unit, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, 7th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Rebecca Cannings-John
- South East Wales Trials Unit, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, 7th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Kerenza Hood
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, 7th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, UK.
| | - Colin Powell
- Department of General Paediatrics, Children's Hospital for Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Amanda Roberts
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Child Health Directorate, St David's Children Centre, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF11 9XB, UK.
| | - Alun Tomkinson
- Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
| | - Deborah Fitzsimmons
- College of Human Health Sciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Micaela Gal
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, UK.
| | - Debbie Harris
- South East Wales Trials Unit, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, 7th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Victoria Shepherd
- South East Wales Trials Unit, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, 7th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Christopher C Butler
- The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
| | - Nicholas Francis
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Del Mar
- Centre for Research in Evidence Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tammy Hoffmann
- Centre for Research in Evidence Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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