Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of otitis media with effusion in adults and children: a multicenter study (original) (raw)
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Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2021
Objective To evaluate the role of social isolation during the lockdown due to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in modifying the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) and the natural history of chronic OME. Study Design Retrospective study. Setting Tertiary level referral audiologic center. Methods We assessed the prevalence of OME among children aged 6 months to 12 years who attended the outpatient clinic for hearing or vestibular disorders during 2 periods before the lockdown, May-June 2019 (n = 350) and January-February 2020 (n = 366), and the period immediately after the lockdown, May-June 2020 (n = 216). We also compared the disease resolution rates between a subgroup of children with chronic OME (n = 30) who were diagnosed in summer 2019 and reevaluated in May-June 2020 and a similar subgroup (n = 29) assessed in 2018-2019. Results The prevalence of OME in this clinic population was 40.6% in May-June 2019, 52.2% in January-Febru...
Has Otitis Media Disappeared during COVID-19 Pandemic? A Fortuitus Effect of Domestic Confinement
2021
Background: To measure patient flow at our Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) during the Italian lockdown, with particular care in terms of otolaryngological (ENT)-related diagnoses. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of electronic charts of children admitted to our PED in the City Center of Milan (Italy) for any disease. The outcome was to compare distribution of diagnoses performed at our PED during 21 February–3 May 2019 (period 1) to 21 February–3 May 2020 (period 2). Results: A total of 4538 children were evaluated during period 1 compared to 1310 during period 2. A statistically significant overall effect on diagnosis between the study periods was attested (p-value < 0.001; pseudo R2 = 0.010), ENT-related diagnoses being more frequently documented in period 1 (80.4% vs. 19.5%; p-value < 0.001), as well as those related to middle ear infections (92.8% vs. 7.2%; p-value < 0.001). Non-complicated acute otitis media more frequently occurred in period 1 (92.0% vs. 8.0%;...
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2021
IntroductionRecent reports have highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of infectious disease illnesses and antibiotic use. This study investigates the effect of the pandemic on childhood incidence of otitis media (OM) and associated antibiotic prescribing in a large primary care-based cohort in the Netherlands.Material and MethodsRetrospective observational cohort study using routine health care data from the Julius General Practitioners’ Network (JGPN). All children aged 0-12 registered in 62 practices before the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2019 - 29 February 2020) and/or during the pandemic (1 March 2020 - 28 February 2021) were included. Data on acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), ear discharge episodes and associated antibiotic prescriptions were extracted. Incidence rates per 1,000 child years (IR), incidence rate ratios (IRR) and incidence rate differences (IRD) were compared between the two study periods.ResultsOM episodes decl...
Otorhinolaryngologists and head-and-neck surgeons are considered as high-risk group of health-care workers due to their nature of work for exposure to the respiratory tract. During routine assessment and treatment of patients, otorhinolaryngologists and head-and-neck surgeons with their assisting staffs inevitably come in contact with secretions of the respiratory tract which may become aerosolized at time of the sneeze or cough. All otorhinolaryngology patients must be considered as potential carriers of COVID-19. A great emphasis must be given on the history such as flu-like symptoms, travel history, and contact history with potential carriers which will help triage patients into high risk. This review article discusses the infection control measures by otolaryngological and head-and-neck perspective during COVID-19 pandemic so will serve as template for otolaryngologists and head-and-neck specialist at the time of this outbreak.
Otolaryngology during COVID-19: Preventive care and precautionary measures
American Journal of Otolaryngology, 2020
Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019, it has spread to various regions and countries, forming a global pandemic. Reducing nosocomial infection is a new issue and challenge for all healthcare systems. Otolaryngology is a high-risk specialty as it close contact with upper respiratory tract mucous, secretions, droplets and aerosols during procedures and surgery. Therefore, infection prevention and control measures for this specialty are essential. Literatures on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and infection control measures of COVID-19 were reviewed, practical knowledge from first-line otolaryngologists in China, the United States, and Brazil were reviewed and collated. It was recommended that otolaryngology professionals should improve screening in suspected patients with relevant nasal and pharyngeal symptoms and signs, suspend non-emergency consultations and examinations in clinics, and rearrange the working procedures in operating rooms. The guidelines of personal protective equipment for swab sampling, endoscopy and surgery were listed. Indications for tracheotomy during the pandemic should be carefully considered to avoid unnecessary airway opening and aerosol-generation; precautions during surgery to reduce the risk of exposure and infection were illustrated. This review aimed to provide recommendations for otolaryngologists to enhance personal protection against COVID-19 and reduce the risk of nosocomial infection. Human to human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed [16], and the infection is highly contagious with about 2.2-3.6 basic
Indian Journal of Child Health, 2020
evere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), started in Wuhan, China, since late December 2019 [1]. SARS-CoV-2 was earlier known as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), an enveloped singlestranded RNA virus [1]. The otolaryngologists have an important role as health-care providers for examining the patients with otorhinolaryngological manifestations. There are concerns for a greater number of the asymptomatic pediatric patients infected with COVID-19 [2]. The pediatric patients often present with diseases related to the upper airway such as sinonasal infections, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, nasal foreign body, airway foreign body, otitis media, and adenoid infections. There are disproportionately a high number of clinicians, infected with COVID-19 during their patient care specifically the pediatric age group [3]. This infection spreads mainly through the respiratory airway by droplets, secretions, and direct contact [4]. Examination and procedure in otolaryngology patients involve upper aerodigestive areas which are high risk for viral transmission, making the pediatric otolaryngologist the most vulnerable healthcare professionals. At present, the risk of the viral transmission from the asymptomatic pediatric patients with COVID-19 to the health care workers is often difficult to assess on the basis of the clinical evaluation. The asymptomatic pediatric patients present high chance of the viral shedding during the clinical examination or any surgical procedure on the nose, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, and laryngopharyngeal region and transmit these infections to the clinicians and assisting team members [5]. The COVID-19 pandemic requires careful assessment of the pediatric patients specifically before any otorhinolaryngological intervention such as laryngotracheobronchial airway, sinonasal tract, oral cavity, and otological procedures. METHODS OF THE LITERATURE SEARCH Research articles regarding managing pediatric otorhinolaryngology patients in COVID-19 pandemic were searched through multiple approaches. First, we conducted an online search of the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Medline databases with the word pediatric otorhinolaryngology patients, COVID-19 pandemic, flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in pediatric patients, pediatric tracheostomy, pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery, pediatric mastoid surgery, and hearing screening of the pediatric patients in current COVID-19 pandemic. A search strategy using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines was developed. Randomized
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 2021
Corona virus also known as 2019 novel corona virus, a single stranded positive sense RNA virus is the causative agent of COVID 19 disease. It mainly spreads via the respiratory route by means of aerosols. The objectives of our study were. To know the prevalence of ENT presentations in COVID 19 patients and to know the relationship between the symptoms and category of the disease as well as to know the relation between the blood group and recovery from the disease. The first 500 patients who were tested positive for COVID 19 and getting treated in our hospital were included in the study after taking written informed consent from the patients who were willing to participate in the study. A detailed history was taken from all the patients and more stress was given on the ENT symptoms with respect to its onset, duration and time taken for the relief of symptoms. The ENT symptoms were compared with the category of the disease as well as the blood group of the patients. Statistical analys...
COVID-19 and the Otolaryngologist: Preliminary Evidence-Based Review
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 , has rapidly swept across the world since its identification in December 2019. Otolaryngologists are at unique risk due to the close contact with mucus membranes of the upper respiratory tract and have been among the most affected healthcare workers in Wuhan, China. We present information on COVID-19 management relevant to otolaryngologists on the frontlines of this pandemic and provide preliminary guidance based on practices implemented in China and other countries and practical strategies deployed at Stanford University.
Otolaryglogical Manifestations of Patients with Confirmed Covid-19 Infection
AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2021
Background: the coronavirus leads to upper respiratory tract-associated manifestations like nasal congestion, sore throat, and smell disorder Objectives: To reveal the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on otolaryngology symptoms using our daily medical practice. Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study that was carried on in the isolation wards at Al-Kindy and Al-Nu’man Teaching Hospitals during three months from the 1st of Jun. till the end of Aug. 2020. It included 1270 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection seen in the ENT consultation clinic and admitted to the isolation wards. Results: Otolaryngological manifestations were shown as 15.7% complained of sore throat, the headache was presented in 11%. Non-otolaryngological manifestations were more common than otolaryngological manifestations as fever presented in 63% of cases and cough in 56.1%. Conclusion: Otolaryngological symptoms are not uncommon but less than fever or cough. Otolaryngological manifestation with a h...
Lancet, 2024
Background Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are the leading cause of acute disease incidence worldwide and contribute to a substantial health-care burden. Although acute otitis media is a common complication of URIs, the combined global burden of URIs and otitis media has not been studied comprehensively. We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 to explore the fatal and non-fatal burden of the two diseases across all age groups, including a granular analysis of children younger than 5 years, in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. Methods Mortality due to URIs and otitis media was estimated with use of vital registration and sample-based vital registration data, which are used as inputs to the Cause of Death Ensemble model to separately model URIs and otitis media mortality by age and sex. Morbidity was modelled with a Bayesian meta-regression tool using data from published studies identified via systematic reviews, population-based survey data, and cause-specific URI and otitis media mortality estimates. Additionally, we assessed and compared the burden of otitis media as it relates to URIs and examined the collective burden and contributing risk factors of both diseases. Findings The global number of new episodes of URIs was 12•8 billion (95% uncertainty interval 11•4 to 14•5) for all ages across males and females in 2021. The global all-age incidence rate of URIs decreased by 10•1% (-12•0 to-8•1) from 1990 to 2019. From 2019 to 2021, the global all-age incidence rate fell by 0•5% (-0•8 to-0•1). Globally, the incidence rate of URIs was 162 484•8 per 100 000 population (144 834•0 to 183 289•4) in 2021, a decrease of 10•5% (-12•4 to-8•4) from 1990, when the incidence rate was 181 552•5 per 100 000 population (160 827•4 to 206 214•7). The highest incidence rates of URIs were seen in children younger than 2 years in 2021, and the largest number of episodes was in children aged 5-9 years. The number of new episodes of otitis media globally for all ages was 391 million (292 to 525) in 2021. The global incidence rate of otitis media was 4958•9 per 100 000 (3705•4 to 6658•6) in 2021, a decrease of 16•3% (-18•1 to-14•0) from 1990, when the incidence rate was 5925•5 per 100 000 (4371•8 to 8097•9). The incidence rate of otitis media in 2021 was highest in children younger than 2 years, and the largest number of episodes was in children aged 2-4 years. The mortality rate of URIs in 2021 was 0•2 per 100 000 (0•1 to 0•5), a decrease of 64•2% (-84•6 to-43•4) from 1990, when the mortality rate was 0•7 per 100 000 (0•2 to 1•1). In both 1990 and 2021, the mortality rate of otitis media was less than 0•1 per 100 000. Together, the combined burden accounted for by URIs and otitis media in 2021 was 6•86 million (4•24 to 10•4) years lived with disability and 8•16 million (4•99 to 12•0) disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for all ages across males and females. Globally, the all-age DALY rate of URIs and otitis media combined in 2021 was 103 per 100 000 (63 to 152). Infants aged 1-5 months had the highest combined DALY rate in 2021 (647 per 100 000 [189 to 1412]), followed by early neonates (aged 0-6 days; 582 per 100 000 [176 to 1297]) and late neonates (aged 7-24 days; 482 per 100 000 [161 to 1052]). Interpretation The findings of this study highlight the widespread burden posed by URIs and otitis media across all age groups and both sexes. There is a continued need for surveillance, prevention, and management to better understand and reduce the burden associated with URIs and otitis media, and research is needed to assess their impacts on individuals, communities, economies, and health-care systems worldwide. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.