Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40734530›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of laryngology and otology2025

The incidence and epidemiology of necrotising otitis externa in England before, during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: an updated analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics data 2002-2024.

Donny Kong, Stefan Linton, Emma Stapleton

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of laryngology and otology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

3 authors.

Donny KongDepartment of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.
Stefan LintonDepartment of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7984-8431
Emma StapletonDepartment of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7763-9705

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesNecrotising otitis externa is a serious infective condition with significant risk of complications and a profound impact on patients' quality of life.

methodsA quantitative descriptive study was undertaken using epidemiological data from the National Health Service Hospital Episode Statistics database and other national databases. Data correlating with reported cases 2002-2024 were compiled and analysed.

resultsThe national incidence of necrotising otitis externa has demonstrated a sustained increase 2002-2024. The 30 per cent incidence drop during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may be attributable to reduced exposure to risk factors, reduced contact between susceptible patients and health professionals and pandemic-related deaths of at-risk populations. There remains a strong correlation between growths in necrotising otitis externa incidence, the ageing population and national incidence of diabetes mellitus. These are all projected to continue to rise. Antibiotic resistance is not a significant contributing factor.

conclusionThis study demonstrates several significant trends, offering a strong foundation for deeper exploration in future studies.

Indexed as

diabetes mellitusimmunosuppressionosteomyelitisotitis externa

Identifiers

PMID40734530
PMCPMC12558708

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Registered trials

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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.