Shaikh, N and Hoberman, A and Rockette, HE and Kurs-Lasky, M
(2012)
Development of an algorithm for the diagnosis of otitis media.
Academic Pediatrics, 12 (3).
214 - 218.
ISSN 1876-2859
Abstract
Background: The relative importance of signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of otitis media has not been adequately evaluated. This has led to a large degree of variation in the criteria used to diagnose otitis media, which has resulted in inconsistencies in clinical care and discrepant research findings. Methods: A group of experienced otoscopists examined children presenting for primary care. We investigated the signs and symptoms that these otoscopists used to distinguish acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and no effusion. We used recursive partitioning to develop a diagnostic algorithm. To assess the algorithm, we validated it in an independent dataset. Results: Bulging of the tympanic membrane (TM) was the main finding that otoscopists used to discriminate AOM from OME; information regarding the presence or absence of other signs and symptoms added little to the diagnostic process. Overall, 92% of children with AOM had a bulging TM compared with 0% of children with OME. Opacification and/or an air-fluid level was the main finding that the otoscopists used to discriminate OME from no effusion; 97% of children diagnosed with OME had an opaque TM compared with 5% of children diagnosed with no effusion. An algorithm that used bulging and opacification of the TM correctly classified 99% of ears in an independent dataset. Conclusions: Bulging of the TM was the finding that best discriminated AOM from OME. The algorithm developed here may prove to be useful in clinical care, research, and education concerning otitis media. Copyright © 2012 by Academic Pediatric Association.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Article
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| Status: |
Published |
| Creators/Authors: |
| Creators | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Shaikh, N | nas67@pitt.edu | NAS67 | | | Hoberman, A | | | | | Rockette, HE | | | | | Kurs-Lasky, M | | | |
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| Date: |
1 May 2012 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Academic Pediatrics |
| Volume: |
12 |
| Number: |
3 |
| Page Range: |
214 - 218 |
| DOI or Unique Handle: |
10.1016/j.acap.2012.01.007 |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Medicine > Pediatrics |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| ISSN: |
1876-2859 |
| MeSH Headings: |
Adolescent; Algorithms; Child; Child, Preschool; Decision Making; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Male; Middle Ear Ventilation--methods; Otitis Media--diagnosis; Otitis Media with Effusion--diagnosis; Otoscopy--methods; Primary Health Care; Reproducibility of Results; Tympanic Membrane--physiopathology |
| PubMed ID: |
22459064 |
| Date Deposited: |
13 Sep 2012 20:03 |
| Last Modified: |
02 Jul 2024 11:55 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14061 |
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