title: Consistency of diagnostic criteria for acute otitis media: a review of the recent literature.
abstract: Clinicians use various criteria to diagnose acute otitis media (AOM). Using American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, we reviewed the consistency of AOM diagnosis in clinical trials (1994-2005). Eighty-one percent of the studies required at least one of the three AAP criteria. Only 20% of the 88 studies met all three AAP criteria for a diagnosis. We found no association between the number of criteria met and study quality or industry sponsorship. Better agreement on the definition of AOM using AAP criteria could facilitate a more accurate clinical diagnosis and provide standardization of research and patient care practices.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Medical Branch, 400 Harbourside Drive, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: Shawn M S
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McCormick
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic