| Abstract: | The presence of otitis media with effusion (OME) and high negative pressure (-200 to -400 mm H2O)3 were investigated in follow-up of a randomized double-blind placebo-blind placebo-controlled trial on the efficacyu of amoxicilin/clavulanic acid in the treatment of acute otitis media. All children in this study were recruited from a general practice population. Tympanometry results 1 month from the start of an episode of acute otitis media were taken as outcome criteria. Bilateral middle ear dysfunction was defined as bilateral OME, unilateral OME and contralateral or bilateral high negative pressure. Bilateral middle ear dyusfunction was present in 47.9% of the patients. Of all teh investigated factors of possible influence (age, sex, season, laterality of acute otitis media, therapy, and clinical course of acute otitis media), only season showed a statistically significant influence on the persistence of OME/high negative pressure (P = 0.001). Bilateral middle ear dysfunction was shown to be of prognostic value for the risk of a recurrence of acute otitis media (odds ratio 3.75). shown to be of prognostic value for the risk of a recurence of acute otitis media (odds ratio 3.75). |
