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Burden of acute otitis media in primary care pediatrics in Italy: a secondary data analysis from the Pedianet

Paola Marchisio1, Luigi Cantarutti, Miriam Sturkenboom

  • 1Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, and Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. paola.marchisio@unimi.it

BMC Pediatrics
|November 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Acute otitis media (AOM) incidence in Italian children was 16.8 per 100 person-years, decreasing annually. Diagnosis primarily used static otoscopes, highlighting a need for improved diagnostic education.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute otitis media (AOM) incidence varies globally due to geographical factors and study methodologies.
  • This study investigates AOM incidence in Italian children managed by primary care pediatricians (PCPs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the incidence of AOM in Italian children aged 0-6 years.
  • To describe the diagnostic methods employed for AOM by PCPs.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary data analysis of the Pedianet database (2003-2007).
  • Inclusion of children aged 0-6 years, with AOM episodes validated via patient diaries.
  • Calculation of incidence rates per 100 person-years (PY) for total, single, and recurrent AOM.

Main Results:

  • A total of 92,373 children were followed for 227,361 PY, with 38,241 AOM episodes recorded.
  • The overall AOM incidence rate was 16.8/100 PY, showing a slight annual decrease (-4.6%).
  • Incidence peaked in 3-4 year olds (22.2/100 PY); static otoscopes were used in 96.3% of diagnoses.

Conclusions:

  • AOM poses a significant burden on the Italian PCP system.
  • Educational programs for AOM diagnosis are recommended.
  • Further research is needed to monitor AOM incidence post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction.
Abstract

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