In a Dutch study, antibiotic-glucocorticoid eardrops were more cost effective than oral antibiotics or observation in children with tympanostomy tube ear drainage.
Up to 60% of children with tympanostomy tubes develop otorrhea secondary to middle ear infection. In a prior Dutch study, researchers showed that antibiotic-glucocorticoid eardrops were clinically superior to oral antibiotics or an initial trial of observation (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Apr 2014 and N Engl J Med 2014; 370:723). Now, the researchers report the cost effectiveness of these treatments.
The trial randomized 230 children aged 1 to 10 years to one of three treatments: hydrocortisone-bacitracin-colistin eardrops (5 drops, 3 times daily for 7 days); oral amoxicillin-clavulanate suspension (30 mg/kg amoxicillin and 7.5 mg/kg clavulanate per day for 7 days); or initial observation for 2 weeks, with treatment after that left up to the…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)