PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 487 - 24 Sep 2005 Wait-and-see strategy applicable in paediatric otitis media Practice guidelines recommending a wait-and-see strategy for paediatric patients with otitis media are applicable and appear to reduce unnecessary antibacterial treatment, according to results from a study conducted in Italy. 1277 paediatric patients with otitis media were prospectively evaluated and were eligible to receive either antibacterial therapy (amoxicillin 75–90 mg/kg/day for ≥ 5 days; n = 178), or symptomatic treatment with paracetamol [acetaminophen] 10–15 mg/kg four times daily plus nasal washes. Among the 1099 patients who were eligible for symptomatic treatment alone, 356 patients received antibacterial treatment within the first 72 hours of illness, of which 289 received amoxicillin according to practice guidelines. Recovery without antibacterial treatment was achieved in 65.1% of patients who were only eligible for symptomatic treatment. The simultaneous presence of fever plus a red and bulging tympanic membrane was significantly associated with antibacterial use, as was being male. Marchetti F, et al. Delayed prescription may reduce the use of antibiotics for acute otitis media: a prospective observational study in primary care. Archives of 801018292 Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 159: 679-684, No. 7, Jul 2005

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 24 Sep 2005 No. 487

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