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Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
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Published on: February 5, 2019

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Impact of Otitis Media Severity on Children's Quality of Life

David J Grindler1, Sarah J Blank1, Kristine A Schulz2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
|March 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Recurrent otitis media (OM) significantly impacts children's quality of life. Tympanostomy tubes improve health-related quality of life in infants suffering from this common ear infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Otolaryngology
  • Quality of Life Research

Background:

  • Otitis media (OM) is a common childhood illness causing significant discomfort and affecting daily life.
  • Symptoms include earache, sleep disturbances, and behavioral issues, impacting overall well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the burden of otitis media in children.
  • To compare the impact of tympanostomy tubes on infant health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, multi-institutional cross-sectional study involving 1208 children aged 6-24 months.
  • Utilized patient history, PedsQL Infant QoL survey, and the Otitis Media 6 (OM-6) survey.

Main Results:

  • Children with recurrent OM had significantly worse HR-QoL scores (OM-6: 3.3 vs. 2.5) compared to healthy peers.
  • Poorer HR-QoL scores correlated with higher OM burden (Pearson r = -0.558 to -0.581).
  • Recommendation for tympanostomy tubes indicated higher disease burden, while prior tube placement showed improved HR-QoL.

Conclusions:

  • Recurrent otitis media substantially diminishes health-related quality of life in young children.
  • Tympanostomy tube insertion is associated with improved quality of life outcomes for children with OM.
Abstract

Keywords:
acute otitis mediaotitis media with effusionpressure equalization tubequality of liferecurrent otitis mediatympanostomy tube

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