Effects of COVID‐19 Lockdown on Otitis Media With Effusion in Children: Future Therapeutic Implications

Aldè, Mirko; Berardino, Federica Di; Marchisio, Paola; Cantarella, Giovanna; Ambrosetti, Umberto; Consonni, Dario; Zanetti, Diego

doi:10.1177/0194599820987458

Cited by 45 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Differently, from June 2020 until April 2021 were applied restrictive measures to avoid social contacts (such as closing restaurants, schools, shops, public meeting places, etc) in according to the COVID-19 infection rate. In addition, in this period all people were required to wear a face covering outdoors and/or in public places [ 18 – 20 ]. Facial masks have been proven to be an effective method of protection in this pandemic, which both reduces the exhalation of virus-laden aerosols from a COVID patient and minimizes the inhalation of airborne virus-laden aerosols by the subjects surrounding the patient [ 12 , 17 , 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different studies to date have shown as obligated avoidance of interpersonal contacts, rigorous respect of the hygienic-behavioral rules, and facial masks have reduced the spread of not only of SARS-CoV-2, but also other viruses and bacteria that underlie the development of common upper respiratory diseases [ 12 – 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A preliminary study about this topic has been published by Aldè et al that has evaluated the effect of the Italian lockdown in modifying the OME incidence in children [ 20 ]. Authors have assessed the incidence of OME among children aged 6 months to 12 years who attended to the otologic division for hearing or vestibular disorders during 2 periods before the lockdown, May–June 2019 ( n = 350) and January–February 2020 ( n = 366), and the period immediately after the lockdown, May–June 2020 ( n = 216).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children with chronic OME had a higher rate of disease resolution in May–June 2020 (93.3%) than those examined in May–June 2019 (20.7%, p < 0.001). According to these evidences, authors concluded that closure of schools and the physical distancing rules were correlated with a reduction in the incidence of OME after lockdown period [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of otitis media with effusion in adults and children: a multicenter study

Iannella

Magliulo

Lechien

et al. 2021

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

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Purpose To compare and analyze the incidence of otitis media with effusion (OME), before and during the COVID-19-related pandemic period, to evaluate the effects of the social changes (lockdown, continuous use of facial masks, social distancing, reduction of social activities) in the OME incidence in children and adults. Methods The number of diagnosed OME in e five referral centers, between 1 March 2018 and 1 March 2021, has been reviewed and collected. To estimate the reduction of OME incidence in children and adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period the OME incidence in three period of time were evaluated and compared: group 1—patients with OME diagnosis achieved between 1/03/2018 and 01/03/2019 (not pandemic period). Group 2—patients with OME diagnosis achieved between 1/03/2019 and 1/03/2020 (not pandemic period). Group 3—patients with OME diagnosis achieved between 1/03/2020 and 1/03/2021 (COVID-19 pandemic period). Results In the non-pandemic periods (group 1 and 2), the incidence of OME in the five referral centers considered was similar, with 482 and 555 diagnosed cases, respectively. In contrast, the OME incidence in the same centers, during the pandemic period (group 3) was clearly reduced with a lower total number of 177 cases of OME estimated. Percentage variation in OME incidence between the first non-pandemic year considered (group 1) and the pandemic period (group 3) was—63, 3%, with an absolute value decrease value of—305 cases. Similarly, comparing the second non-pandemic year (group 2) and the pandemic year (group 3) the percentage variation of OME incidence was—68, 1% with an absolute value of—305 cases decreased. Conclusions Our findings showed a lower incidence of OME during the pandemic period compared with 2 previous non pandemic years. The drastic restrictive anti-contagion measures taken by the Italian government to contain the spread of COVID-19 could have had a positive impact on the lower OME incidence during the last pandemic year.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of otitis media with effusion in adults and children: a multicenter study

Iannella

Magliulo

Lechien

et al. 2021

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

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“…A positive effect of the Italian lockdown on middle ear disease in children was confirmed by Aldè et al [6], who documented a global reduction in the number of outpatient children with otitis media with effusion attending a pediatric audiological service in Milan during and after the lockdown, with a 93% resolution rate of chronic effusion in May-June 2020 compared to a 21% resolution rate noted in May-June 2019.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Has Otitis Media Disappeared during COVID-19 Pandemic? A Fortuitus Effect of Domestic Confinement

Torretta

Cantoni

Bertolozzi

et al. 2021

JCM

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Background: To measure patient flow at our Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) during the Italian lockdown, with particular care in terms of otolaryngological (ENT)-related diagnoses. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of electronic charts of children admitted to our PED in the City Center of Milan (Italy) for any disease. The outcome was to compare distribution of diagnoses performed at our PED during 21 February–3 May 2019 (period 1) to 21 February–3 May 2020 (period 2). Results: A total of 4538 children were evaluated during period 1 compared to 1310 during period 2. A statistically significant overall effect on diagnosis between the study periods was attested (p-value < 0.001; pseudoR2 = 0.010), ENT-related diagnoses being more frequently documented in period 1 (80.4% vs. 19.5%; p-value < 0.001), as well as those related to middle ear infections (92.8% vs. 7.2%; p-value < 0.001). Non-complicated acute otitis media more frequently occurred in period 1 (92.0% vs. 8.0%; p-value < 0.001); no significant difference in the number of complicated middle ear infections occurred (95.8% vs. 4.2%). Conclusions: The exceptional circumstances of the Italian lockdown resulted in a significant decrease in patients’ attendance to our PED, especially when considering diagnoses related to any ENT disorder, middle ear disease, and non-complicated middle ear infection.

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Global Otitis Media Incidence Changes During the COVID Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Warner,

Durrant,

Nguyen

et al. 2023

The Laryngoscope

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ObjectiveThe aim was to analyze the global impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and national lockdowns on the incidence of otitis media (OM), a common otolaryngologic disease.Data SourcesPubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL.Review MethodsA systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed using PRISMA reporting guidelines. OM incidence (measured as newly diagnosed OM cases over total patients seen over a time period), OM antibiotic prescriptions (OM cases for which antibiotics were prescribed over total OM cases), and tympanostomy tube surgeries (all tympanostomy tube surgeries over total surgical cases) were extracted. Meta‐analysis of proportions and comparison of proportions were performed.ResultsOf 1004 studies screened, 26 studies in 11 countries met inclusion criteria. The percentages of OM cases pre‐ and during‐lockdown were 6.67%, 95% CI [4.68%, 8.99%], and 2.63% [2.02%, 3.31%], respectively, with an OR of 0.31 favoring during‐lockdown [0.25, 0.39] (p < 0.00001). Antibiotic prescriptions per all OM episodes pre‐ and during‐lockdown were 1.61% [0.17%, 8.46%] and 0.62% [0.07%, 3.32%], with an OR of 0.37 favoring during‐lockdown ([0.35, 0.40], p < 0.00001). Tympanostomy tube surgery proportions pre‐ and during‐lockdown were 31.64% [6.85%, 64.26%] and 29.99% [4.14%, 66.55%], with an OR of 0.94 favoring neither during‐ nor pre‐lockdown [0.45, 2.00] (p = 0.88).ConclusionThe incidence of OM decreased significantly following international lockdowns due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, with antibiotic prescriptions for OM episodes showing a corresponding decrease. Despite these reductions, numbers of tympanostomy tube procedures did not change significantly. These reductions are likely due to social distancing, decreased exposure through high transmission facilities such as day cares, decreased health care utilization, and even possibly decreased air pollution. Laryngoscope, 2023

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Effects of COVID‐19 Lockdown on Otitis Media With Effusion in Children: Future Therapeutic Implications

Cited by 45 publications

References 34 publications

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of otitis media with effusion in adults and children: a multicenter study

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of otitis media with effusion in adults and children: a multicenter study

Has Otitis Media Disappeared during COVID-19 Pandemic? A Fortuitus Effect of Domestic Confinement

Global Otitis Media Incidence Changes During the COVID Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

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