title: A clinical profile of otitis media.
abstract: An otitis media with effusion algorithm developed by Paradise et al and tested by Cantekin et al has become the basis for many studies of otitis media. However, a two-point scale algorithm (otitis media with effusion-no otitis media with effusion) may be too ambitious (ie, low specificity) and too optimistic (ie, absence of fluid does not necessarily mean normal ear). We propose a four-point profile that characterizes the condition of the middle ear, and we report the validation of the profile against findings at myringotomy. Statistically, a four-point scale profile would substantially increase powers of statistical tests, compared with a two-point scale algorithm (in studies of the same size), when used to study changes of the middle-ear condition over time or to compare treatment effects.
authors.affiliation: Otitis Media Research Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Giebink
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology*