Changing Patterns of Otitis Media in the Waikato Region
Andre Becker, University of Otago, New Zealand
Authors List
Introduction: Otitis media (OM) is common in the paediatric population. Although the pathogenesis
is considered multifactorial, viral upper respiratory tract infections are thought to contribute.
Aims: To evaluate the epidemiology of OM and referral pathways before and after the development
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. General Practitioner (GP) notes for children
aged 1-14 were reviewed at a rural Waikato practice, looking for episodes of OM during 2019 and
2020. Referrals to Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) services and grommet insertion rates at Waikato
Hospital during 2019 and 2020 were also analysed.
Results: From the GP records, 1098 children were included in the sample. In 2019 the incidence of
acute OM was 15 per 100 children presenting to the GP (15%; 95% CI 13%-17%). In 2020, this
reduced to 7 per 100 children (7%; 95% CI 5%-8%). In 2019, 71% of children with OM had only one
episode identified compared to 86% in 2020. There was no difference in incidence between Māori
and European ethnicities, or between males and females. At Waikato Hospital, ENT referrals
decreased from 2933 in 2019 to 2155 in 2020. The incidence of grommet insertion was 161 per 1000
referrals (16%; 95% CI 15%-17%) in 2019. The Incidence of grommet insertion was 48 per 1000
referrals (5%; 95% CI 4%-6%) in 2020.
Conclusion: The burden of OM in both primary and secondary care decreased between 2019 and
2020. This may relate to reduced community prevalence of respiratory viruses and associated
reduced prevalence of OM or real and perceived barriers to accessing healthcare. These findings
highlight areas for future research into the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on respiratory illness as
the phases of the pandemic continue to evolve.
- Becker, A., Otago Medical School, The University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- Nguyen, H., Medical Research Centre, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Wood, A.; Waikato Clinical Campus, The University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand; Department of Otolaryngology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Lawrenson, R., Medical Research Centre, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Introduction: Otitis media (OM) is common in the paediatric population. Although the pathogenesis
is considered multifactorial, viral upper respiratory tract infections are thought to contribute.
Aims: To evaluate the epidemiology of OM and referral pathways before and after the development
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. General Practitioner (GP) notes for children
aged 1-14 were reviewed at a rural Waikato practice, looking for episodes of OM during 2019 and
2020. Referrals to Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) services and grommet insertion rates at Waikato
Hospital during 2019 and 2020 were also analysed.
Results: From the GP records, 1098 children were included in the sample. In 2019 the incidence of
acute OM was 15 per 100 children presenting to the GP (15%; 95% CI 13%-17%). In 2020, this
reduced to 7 per 100 children (7%; 95% CI 5%-8%). In 2019, 71% of children with OM had only one
episode identified compared to 86% in 2020. There was no difference in incidence between Māori
and European ethnicities, or between males and females. At Waikato Hospital, ENT referrals
decreased from 2933 in 2019 to 2155 in 2020. The incidence of grommet insertion was 161 per 1000
referrals (16%; 95% CI 15%-17%) in 2019. The Incidence of grommet insertion was 48 per 1000
referrals (5%; 95% CI 4%-6%) in 2020.
Conclusion: The burden of OM in both primary and secondary care decreased between 2019 and
2020. This may relate to reduced community prevalence of respiratory viruses and associated
reduced prevalence of OM or real and perceived barriers to accessing healthcare. These findings
highlight areas for future research into the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on respiratory illness as
the phases of the pandemic continue to evolve.
