Quality of life for children with otitis media

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Published on: February 5, 2019

R M Rosenfeld1, A J Goldsmith, L Tetlus

  • 1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, and Long Island College Hospital, 11201, USA.

Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|October 27, 1997
PubMed

Insights

The OM-6 survey effectively measures health-related quality of life in children with otitis media, demonstrating reliability and responsiveness. This tool aids in assessing treatment outcomes and clinical care for pediatric ear infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Health-Related Quality of Life Research
  • Clinical Outcomes Assessment

Background:

  • Otitis media is a common childhood illness impacting quality of life.
  • Existing measures may not fully capture the multifaceted effects of otitis media.
  • A validated tool is needed for assessing quality of life in pediatric otitis media patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate changes in health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with otitis media.
  • To assess the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the OM-6 survey.
  • To establish the OM-6 as a suitable measure for clinical trials and routine care.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study was conducted in a hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practice.
  • 186 children (6 months to 12 years) with chronic or recurrent otitis media participated.
  • The 6-item Otitis Media-6 (OM-6) quality-of-life survey was administered at baseline and after 4 weeks, alongside clinical assessments.

Main Results:

  • The OM-6 survey demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (R=0.87) and construct validity (e.g., R=-0.64 with global QoL).
  • The survey showed high responsiveness to change, with a standardized response mean of 1.7 after tympanostomy tube insertion.
  • Scores correlated well with clinical changes (R=0.66), indicating its sensitivity to treatment effects.

Conclusions:

  • The OM-6 survey is a valid, reliable, and responsive instrument for measuring quality of life in children with otitis media.
  • Its brevity and ease of use make it ideal for outcomes studies, clinical trials, and clinical practice.
  • The OM-6 facilitates better assessment of the impact of otitis media and its treatment on children's well-being.
Abstract

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