title: Quality-of-Life Differences among Diagnostic Subgroups of Children Receiving Ventilating Tubes for Otitis Media.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pathological picture may differ considerably between diagnostic subgroups of children with otitis media receiving ventilating tubes. The aims of this study are to investigate differences in quality of life among diagnostic subgroups of children treated with ventilating tubes and to investigate possible predictors for clinical success.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary care units.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred ninety-one families were enrolled in the study. The Otitis Media-6 questionnaire was applied in the assessment of child quality of life. Caregivers completed questionnaires at 7 time points from before treatment to 18-month follow-up. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate possible predictors for clinical success.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rates ranged from 96% to 81%; diagnostic distribution: 15% recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM), 47% otitis media with effusion (OME), and 38% mixed diagnosis of rAOM and OME (rAOM/OME). There were no significant differences between children diagnosed with rAOM and children diagnosed with rAOM/OME. However, these children had a significantly poorer quality of life at baseline compared with children diagnosed with only OME. Factors associated with clinical success included a diagnosis of rAOM, number of interrupted nights, physician visits, and canceled social activities due to OM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results highlight the importance of distinguishing between diagnostic subgroups of children having ventilating tube treatment. A diagnosis of rAOM was found to predict baseline quality of life. Children with rAOM with or without OME were found to suffer significantly more than children with only OME before treatment. Factors associated with disease severity were found to predict clinical success.
authors: Department of ENT Head & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark chrheidemann@gmail.com.
authors: Christian Hamilton
authors: CH
authors: Heidemann
authors: Research Unit for Clinical Biomechanics, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors: Henrik Hein
authors: HH
authors: Lauridsen
authors: Department of ENT Head & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors: Anette Drøhse
authors: AD
authors: Kjeldsen
authors: Department of ENT Head & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors: Christian Emil
authors: CE
authors: Faber
authors: Ear Nose Throat Private Clinic, Odense C, Denmark.
authors: Eva Charlotte Jung
authors: EC
authors: Johansen
authors: Department of ENT Head & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Godballe
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: OM-6; adenoidectomy; otitis media; quality of life; regression analysis; repeated surgery