Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39433432›Full record

ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2024

Exploring the burden of paediatric acute otitis media with discharge in the UK: a qualitative study.

Elliot Heward, Judith Lunn, James Birkenshaw-Dempsey, John Molloy, Rachel Isba, Darren M Ashcroft, Alastair D Hay, Jaya R Nichani, Iain A Bruce

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Defining the Terminology for Acute Ear Discharge in Children: Systematic Review and Expert Consensus Using the Nominal Group Technique.Clinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Elliot HewardDivision of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK elliotheward@doctors.org.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9692-646X
Judith LunnLancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
James Birkenshaw-DempseyRoyal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-1318-9358
John MolloyDivision of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6935-0418
Rachel IsbaLancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
Darren M AshcroftDivision of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2958-915X
Alastair D HayCentre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Jaya R NichaniDivision of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Iain A BruceDivision of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcute otitis media with discharge (AOMd) results from a tympanic membrane perforation secondary to a middle ear infection. Currently, the impact of AOMd on children and young people (CYP) and their families is not well understood. There is also a need to explore the experience of healthcare professionals in treating AOMd. Interviews with CYP and their parents, and focus groups with medical professionals, were conducted to explore these objectives.

methodsA total of 26 parents of CYP (age range: 7 months to 15 years) with a history of AOMd (within the last year) and 28 medical professionals were recruited across the UK between August 2023 and March 2024. Healthcare professionals were from primary care (n=17), ear, nose and throat (ENT) (n=7) and emergency medicine (n=4) backgrounds. Thematic analysis was performed independently by three reviewers.

resultsThe majority of CYP (n=25/26) (96.2%) had suffered from multiple episodes of AOMd. AOMd has a physical, psychological, educational, financial and social impact on CYP and their parents. Parents found accessing healthcare services and information difficult, which increased parental anxiety. Antibiotic overuse was also a concern among parents. The majority of general practitioners and emergency care staff described using oral amoxicillin, compared with ENT doctors who predominantly prescribed topical antibiotics.

conclusionsAOMd has a significant impact on CYP and their parent's daily lives. Need for clear, easily accessible patient information was identified as a priority by the parents of CYP with AOMd. Evidence-based management guidelines should be developed once high-quality evidence is available. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISCTRN43760.

Indexed as

ParentsQualitative ResearchAcute DiseaseAdolescentAnti-Bacterial AgentsChildChild, PreschoolCost of IllnessFemaleFocus GroupsHumansInfantMaleOtitis MediaOtitis Media with EffusionUnited KingdomAnti-Bacterial AgentsAdolescent HealthChild HealthQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID39433432
PMCPMC11499759

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.