443. Comparison of Clinical Characteristics of Endemic vs. SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Infection in Patients Admitted to a Community Teaching Hospital

Abstract Background Endemic coronaviruses [EC] (NL63, 229E, OC43, HKU1) have been identified in humans since the 1960s. Most are associated with mild upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs) but can be associated serious disease. More recently, novel coronaviruses associated with SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 have emerged and are often associated with serious disease and death. With this report, we compare presenting clinical characteristics and some outcomes of patients hospitalized with RTIs caused by ECs or by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Methods Patients admitted to the Summa Health System with RTIs associated with EC were identified via multiplex PCR method (BioFire™). Patients admitted with COVID-19 were identified by real-time, reverse transcriptase-PCR method using one of several platforms. Patients were selected from two existing quality improvement registries encompassing EC and COVID-19 cases. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of EC patients to those of COVID-19 patients using chi-squared tests for proportions and independent samples t-tests for means. Results Shown in Table 1. Significant differences in patient characteristics with EC vs. COVID-19 included: older age, primarily Caucasian, smoking history, requiring O2 supplementation on admission, and having chronic heart, lung, or renal disease. Significant differences in patient characteristics with COVID-19 vs. EC included: admission from extended care facility, obesity, presenting with fever, gastrointestinal symptoms and/or myalgia, presence of radiographic infiltrates, abnormal liver tests, and longer length of stay (LOS). A non-significant difference was noted in 30 day mortality rates. Coronavirus OC43 accounted for 54% of EC strains. Conclusion There were significant differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups with EC patients more likely to have lung disease (often COPD) and requiring admission for need of O2 supplementation. COVID-19 patients were more likely to present with a febrile illness associated with pneumonia and require longer LOS (often requiring O2 supplementation later in hospitalization). Patients admitted with COVID-19 present with different clinical characteristics than those with EC with numerically higher mortality rate. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Comparing Patient Characteristics, Clinical Outcomes, and Biomarkers of Severe Asthma Patients in Taiwan

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9070764 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 764

Author(s):

Shih-Lung Cheng ◽

Kuo-Chin Chiu ◽

Hsin-Kuo Ko ◽

Diahn-Warng Perng ◽

Hao-Chien Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Asthma ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Linear Models ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Asthma Patients ◽

Patients At Risk

Purpose: To understand the association between biomarkers and exacerbations of severe asthma in adult patients in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: Demographic, clinical characteristics and biomarkers were retrospectively collected from the medical charts of severe asthma patients in six hospitals in Taiwan. Exacerbations were defined as those requiring asthma-specific emergency department visits/hospitalizations, or systemic steroids. Enrolled patients were divided into: (1) those with no exacerbations (non-exacerbators) and (2) those with one or more exacerbations (exacerbators). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the optimal cut-off value for biomarkers. Generalized linear models evaluated the association between exacerbation and biomarkers. Results: 132 patients were enrolled in the study with 80 non-exacerbators and 52 exacerbators. There was no significant difference in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. Exacerbators had significantly higher eosinophils (EOS) counts (367.8 ± 357.18 vs. 210.05 ± 175.24, p = 0.0043) compared to non-exacerbators. The optimal cut-off values were 292 for EOS counts and 19 for the Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) measure. Patients with an EOS count ≥ 300 (RR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.26–2.81; p = 0.002) or FeNO measure ≥ 20 (RR = 2.10; 95% CI, 1.05–4.18; p = 0.0356) had a significantly higher risk of exacerbation. Moreover, patients with both an EOS count ≥ 300 and FeNO measure ≥ 20 had a significantly higher risk of exacerbation than those with lower EOS count or lower FeNO measure (RR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.47–3.18; p = < 0.0001). Conclusions: Higher EOS counts and FeNO measures were associated with increased risk of exacerbation. These biomarkers may help physicians identify patients at risk of exacerbations and personalize treatment for asthma patients.

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369. Clinical Characteristics of the First 177 Patients Admitted with COVID-19 at a Bronx Community Hospital

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S254-S254

Author(s):

Victoria Bengualid ◽

Maria Martinez ◽

Zhenisa Hysenaj ◽

Debra M Willner ◽

Judith Berger

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Saturation ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Altered Mental Status ◽

Channel Blockers ◽

First Case ◽

Overall Mortality

Abstract Background The first case of COVID-19 was admitted on March 15th 2020 to our community based hospital in the Bronx, NY. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of these first COVID-19 patients. Patient Characteristics and Outcome Methods IRB approved retrospective chart review study of all COVID-19 patients admitted during March 2020 focusing on patient characteristics, co-morbidities, clinical manifestations and outcome. Results A total of 177 patients were admitted during March 2020: 57% African American 23.1% Hispanic and 16.9% White. 44.9% female, average age 60 years, and 90% had at least one comorbidity. Outcome was available on all patients except for one who was transferred to another institution for ECMO. Overall mortality was 33%. Clinical presentation: 69.4% presented with cough or shortness of breath, 15.8% with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, and 14.6% with myalgia, dizziness or altered mental status. 6.2% presented only with fever. However 59.8% of patients presented with fever and respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. Mortality The table compares patients who died vs discharged (either home or to a short term facility). Those that were 65 years or older, hypertensive or presented to the ER with an oxygen saturation of 94% or lower, were more likely to die. Ventilated patients: 31.6% of patients were intubated with a mortality rate of 77%. 22% of these patients were intubated in the first 24 hours. Compared to non-intubated patients, there was no difference in BMI, diabetes, hypertension, COPD/Asthma, use of statins, aspirin or calcium channel blockers. Intubated patients older than 64 years had significantly higher mortality rates (p=0.0001). Conclusion This cohort of COVID-19 patients is unique as almost all received Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin. Only 9% received steroids and even fewer received an interleukin-6 inhibitor, convalescent plasma or Remdesivir. African Americans and Hispanics accounted for 80% of patients. Greater than 90% received Medicaid. Overall mortality was 33%. The most common presentation was respiratory followed by gastrointestinal symptoms. The overall mortality was 33% but increased to 77% in intubated patients. Age, hypertension, and ER oxygen saturation correlated with mortality. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Limb Reduction Defects: Data from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM)

Children ◽

10.3390/children8020138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 138

Author(s):

Anna Materna-Kiryluk ◽

Katarzyna Wisniewska ◽

Barbara Wieckowska ◽

Jolanta Wierzba ◽

Anna Jazdzewska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Congenital Malformations ◽

Gestational Hypertension ◽

First Trimester ◽

Smoking History ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Maternal Risk ◽

Limb Reduction ◽

Integral Role ◽

Tract Infections

Data from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM) suggest that the prevalence of limb reduction defects (LRDs) in some Polish regions is significantly higher in comparison to that reported in the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) registry, but specific risk factors are still unknown. The objectives of this study were two-fold: to detect risk factors linked to isolated LRDs among Polish natives and to search for geospatial clusters of isolated LRDs to identify high-risk areas across the country. Among the 2,939,001 births accounted for in the PRCM, we determined that there were 852 children with distinct LRDs. Our data demonstrate that lower birth weight, prematurity, and maternal smoking history are strongly associated with isolated LRDs. Furthermore, our investigation pointed to various additional risk factors for isolated LRDs, including paternal education, gestational hypertension, upper respiratory tract infections, and exposure to anti-inflammatory drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy. We did not recognize statistically significant spatial or spatiotemporal clusters over the area of Poland using Kulldorff’s scan. Our study strengthens the hypothesis that maternal factors have an integral role in the etiology of isolated LRDs.

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Methodological Considerations in the Assessment of Effectiveness of Homeopathic Care: A Critical Review of the EPI3 Study

Homeopathy ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1732335 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yola Moride

Keyword(s):

Critical Review ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Specific Patient ◽

Outcome Measurements ◽

Apparent Loss ◽

Therapeutic Opportunity ◽

Methodological Considerations ◽

Tract Infections ◽

And Control

Abstract Background EPI3 is an observational study of a representative sample of general practitioners (GPs) and patients in France, demonstrating that patient characteristics differ according to the prescribing preferences of their GPs for homeopathy. For selected conditions (musculoskeletal disorders, sleep disorders, anxiety/depression, upper respiratory tract infections), progression of symptoms and adverse events over follow-up in the homeopathy preference group did not significantly differ from other practice preferences, but there was a two-fold to four-fold lower usage of conventional medicines. The EPI3 study's validity was challenged due to absence of head-to-head comparison of medicines to conclude on a causal association between homeopathy and outcomes. Methods A critical review of the nine EPI3 publications was conducted, focusing on generalizability, selection bias, outcome measurements and confounding. Results The conceptual framework of EPI3 rests on a systemic construct, i.e., the homeopathic treatment concept assessed using the type of GP prescribing preference, taking into account the clinical, human and social aspects. The enrollment process enhanced the generalizability of findings. Validated instruments for outcome measurements were used for three conditions, and control of confounding was rigorous. Conclusion EPI3 was conducted according to best practices. Homeopathy prescribing preference met specific patient needs with less use of conventional medicines and without an apparent loss in therapeutic opportunity.

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Gene predictors for extrathoracic metastases (EM) in advanced bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) of the lung obtained from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE)

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.7622 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 7622-7622

Author(s):

G. J. Weiss ◽

W. A. Franklin ◽

C. Zeng ◽

Z. V. Tran ◽

C. D. Coldren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Gene Profiling ◽

Smoking History ◽

Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma ◽

Clinical Factors ◽

Benign Tissue ◽

Small Series ◽

Significant Difference

7622 Background: Advanced BAC is typically a more indolent tumor confined to the lungs, thus raising the question of the role for bilateral lung transplantation (BLT). In a small series, BLT produced a 5-year survival rate of 50%. Determining biological predictors of EM could identify the most ideal candidates for curative BLT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient records from 1/1/98–10/1/06. RNA was extracted from FFPE tissue. RNA was amplified using Arcturus kits and profiled by Affymetrix X3P chips, which contain 47,000 transcripts and 61,000 probe sets. Chi-square and t-tests were used to compare clinical characteristics. Log-rank and Cox hazards modeling were used to determine clinical factors that predict either overall survival or time to EM. Logistic regression modeling was used to examine clinical factors predicting rate of EM. Hybridization signals and detection calls were generated in BioConductor, using gcrma and affy tools, and normalized to benign tissue. Univariate analysis was performed to identify genes of interest. Results: Patients with advanced BAC/adenocarcinoma with BAC features at diagnosis, (TanyNanyM1 [lung only]; n=20), and matched cohort of locally-advanced adenocarcinoma (TanyN2–3M0) and pure adenocarinoma with pulmonary metastases only, (TanyNanyM1 [lung only]), were identified (n=45). There was no significant difference for age, gender, smoking history, survival, or EM between the 2 groups. Arrays have been performed on 12 samples (4 BAC, 5 lung adenocarcinoma, 2 benign lung, and 1 benign lymph node). Preliminary analysis shows 27 genes were significantly up- and down-regulated vs. benign tissue (p<0.01). Seven of these genes were highly altered and may differentiate risk for EM. Conclusions: Gene expression profiling may discern risk for EM not readily apparent from clinical characteristics and could serve to identify advanced BAC patients with low risk for EM that may benefit from BLT. Gene profiling of 12 additional tumor samples is ongoing and results will be updated. We plan future validation of candidate genes in collaboration with cooperative groups or other multi-center sites. Supported by a grant from Cancer League of Colorado. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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A RANDOMISED CONTROL STUDY TO COMPARE THE EFFICACY OF CEFUROXIME, CLARITHROMYCIN, AND LEVOFLOXACIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PAEDIATRIC UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2021.v14i10.42957 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103-106

Author(s):

GOUTHAMI PADUGUNDLA ◽

JYOTHIRMAYEE V ◽

BETHALA RAVALI ◽

JAGILLAPURAM ARUNDHATHI ◽

THAKUR SRILATHA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Age Groups ◽

Efficacy Rate ◽

Pool Data ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Cure Rate ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Background: The upper respiratory infections cause considerable morbidity mainly in children due to the fact that they mainly affect children. Accordingly, a study was conducted on antibiotics to compare the effectiveness of clarithromycin, cefuroxime, and levofloxacin for treating upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in children. Methods: A prospective observational study for a period of 6 months was conducted in the pediatrics department of RVM hospital. Outpatients under the age of 14 years given antibiotics for the treatment of URTI were included in the study. A total of 99 study subjects were included in the study, divided into three groups each containing 33 sample sizes (clarithromycin, cefuroxime, and levofloxacin). Patient data was collected using a form and verbal consent was obtained from patients/patient representatives, and drugs were given using the lottery method. Follow-up was done and noted for the 3rd, 5th, 7th day through telephonic calls, and the collected data were evaluated using statistical analysis. Results: Pool data from 99 patients shows that many patients belong to 0–5 years age groups (age distribution), and males were more than female (gender distribution). Clarithromycin (cure rate 3 days) and cefuroxime (cure rate 5 days) showed an equal rate of cure percentage (94%), while levofloxacin for 3–5 days with a 3% failure rate. A significant difference of p<0.05 (p=0.000) was observed and no adverse events were noted. Conclusion: The study findings showed, out of 3 drugs, clarithromycin and cefuroxime showed an equal efficacy rate of 94%, but clarithromycin showed shorter duration of outcome, i.e., 3 days. Hence, clarithromycin is effective than the other two drugs in the treatment of URTI.

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Variation in hospital admission in febrile children evaluated at the Emergency Department (ED) in Europe: PERFORM, a multicentre prospective observational study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244810 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244810

Author(s):

Dorine M. Borensztajn ◽

Nienke N. Hagedoorn ◽

Irene Rivero Calle ◽

Ian K. Maconochie ◽

Ulrich von Both ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Hospital Admission ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Admission Rates ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Tract Infections

Objectives Hospitalisation is frequently used as a marker of disease severity in observational Emergency Department (ED) studies. The comparison of ED admission rates is complex in potentially being influenced by the characteristics of the region, ED, physician and patient. We aimed to study variation in ED admission rates of febrile children, to assess whether variation could be explained by disease severity and to identify patient groups with large variation, in order to use this to reduce unnecessary health care utilization that is often due to practice variation. Design MOFICHE (Management and Outcome of Fever in children in Europe, part of the PERFORM study, www.perform2020.org), is a prospective cohort study using routinely collected data on febrile children regarding patient characteristics (age, referral, vital signs and clinical alarming signs), diagnostic tests, therapy, diagnosis and hospital admission. Setting and participants Data were collected on febrile children aged 0–18 years presenting to 12 European EDs (2017–2018). Main outcome measures We compared admission rates between EDs by using standardised admission rates after adjusting for patient characteristics and initiated tests at the ED, where standardised rates >1 demonstrate higher admission rates than expected and rates <1 indicate lower rates than expected based on the ED patient population. Results We included 38,120 children. Of those, 9.695 (25.4%) were admitted to a general ward (range EDs 5.1–54.5%). Adjusted standardised admission rates ranged between 0.6 and 1.5. The largest variation was seen in short admission rates (0.1–5.0), PICU admission rates (0.2–2.2), upper respiratory tract infections (0.4–1.7) and fever without focus (0.5–2.7). Variation was small in sepsis/meningitis (0.9–1.1). Conclusions Large variation exists in admission rates of febrile children evaluated at European EDs, however, this variation is largely reduced after correcting for patient characteristics and therefore overall admission rates seem to adequately reflect disease severity or a potential for a severe disease course. However, for certain patient groups variation remains high even after adjusting for patient characteristics.

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Nasopharyngeal Meningococcal Carriage among Children and Adolescents in Turkey in 2018: An Unexpected High Serogroup X Carriage

Children ◽

10.3390/children8100871 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 871

Author(s):

Mahmut Can Kizil ◽

Omer Kilic ◽

Mehmet Ceyhan ◽

Merve Iseri Nepesov ◽

Adem Karbuz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Age Groups ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Age Group ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Carriage Rate ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Impact

Meningococcal carriage studies and transmission modeling can predict IMD epidemiology and used to define invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) control strategies. In this multicenter study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nasopharyngeal Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) carriage, serogroup distribution, and related risk factors in Turkey. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from a total of 1267 children and adolescents and were tested with rt-PCR. Nm carriage was detected in 96 participants (7.5%, 95% CI 6.1–9.0), with the peak age at 13 years (12.5%). Regarding age groups, Nm carriage rate was 7% in the 0–5 age group, was 6.9%in the 6–10 age group, was 7.9% in the 11–14 age group, and was 9.3% in the 15–18 age group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The serogroup distribution was as follows: 25% MenX, 9.4% MenA, 9.4% MenB, 2.1% MenC, 3.1% MenW, 2.1% for MenY, and 48.9% for non-groupable. The Nm carriage rate was higher in children with previous upper respiratory tract infections and with a high number of household members, whereas it was lower in children with antibiotic use in the last month (p < 0.05 for all). In this study, MenX is the predominant carriage strain. The geographical distribution of Nm strains varies, but serogroup distribution in the same country might change in a matter of years. Adequate surveillance and/or a proper carriage study is paramount for accurate/dynamic serogroup distribution and the impact of the proposed vaccination.

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Viremia and Nasal and Rectal Shedding of Rotavirus in Gnotobiotic Pigs Inoculated with Wa Human Rotavirus

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.79.9.5428-5436.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 79 (9) ◽

pp. 5428-5436 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

M. S. Azevedo ◽

L. Yuan ◽

K.-I. Jeong ◽

A. Gonzalez ◽

T. V. Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Virus Shedding ◽

Diarrhea Virus ◽

Human Rotavirus ◽

Basolateral Side ◽

Gnotobiotic Pigs ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

ABSTRACT Respiratory symptoms with rotavirus shedding in nasopharyngeal secretions have been reported in children with and without gastrointestinal symptoms (Zheng et al., 1991, J. Med. Virol. 34:29-37). To investigate if attenuated and virulent human rotavirus (HRV) strains cause upper respiratory tract infections or viremia in gnotobiotic pigs, we inoculated them with attenuated or virulent HRV intranasally, intravenously, or orally or via feeding tube (gavage) and assayed virus shedding. After oral or intranasal inoculation with attenuated HRV, the pigs remained asymptomatic, but 79 to 95% shed virus nasally and 5 to 17% shed virus rectally. After inoculation by gavage, no pigs shed virus nasally or rectally, but all pigs seroconverted with antibodies to HRV. No viremia was detected through postinoculation day 10. Controls inoculated intranasally with nonreplicating rotavirus-like particles or mock inoculated did not shed virus. In contrast, 100% of pigs inoculated with virulent HRV (oral, intranasal, or gavage) developed diarrhea, shed virus nasally and rectally, and had viremia. The infectivity of sera from the viremic virulent HRV-inoculated pigs was confirmed by inoculating gnotobiotic pigs orally with pooled HRV-positive serum. Serum-inoculated pigs developed diarrhea and fecal and nasal virus shedding and seroconverted with serum and intestinal HRV antibodies. Pigs inoculated intravenously with serum or intestinal contents from the viremic virulent HRV-inoculated pigs developed diarrhea, virus shedding, and viremia, similar to the orally inoculated pigs. This study provides new evidence that virulent HRV causes transient viremia and upper respiratory tract infection in addition to gastrointestinal infection in gnotobiotic pigs, confirming previous reports of rotavirus antigenemia (Blutt et al., Lancet 362:1445-1449, 2003). Our data also suggest that intestinal infection might be initiated from the basolateral side of the epithelial cells via viremia. Additionally, virus shedding patterns indicate a different pathogenesis for attenuated versus virulent HRV.

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Study of Effect of Household Parental Smoking on Development of Acute Otitis Media in Children Under 12 Years

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v8n5p81 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 81 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Soroush Amani ◽

Parastoo Yarmohammadi

Keyword(s):

Otitis Media ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Acute Otitis Media ◽

Parental Smoking ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Problems ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group 2 ◽

Tract Infections

BACKGROUND & AIM: High prevalence of acute otitis media (AOM) in children represents a combination of the factors developing eustachian tube dysfunction and higher susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections in children. This disease is relatively prevalent in Iran and much cost is spent annually to treat it. This study investigated the effect of household parental smoking on development of AOM in children under 12 years. METHODS: In this case-control study all patients under the age of 12 years with AOM referring an ENT clinic in Shahrekord, southwest Iran between April 2014 and August 2014 were enrolled by convenience sampling. This study included two groups. Group 1 (G1) was exposed to parental smoking at home and group 2 (G2) was not. For the patients, a questionnaire of demographic data such as age and gender, the disease symptoms, parents' education level, history of respiratory diseases, allergy, surgery (adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and tympanostomy), and household smoking was filled out by a specialist through interview. RESULTS: In this study, 250 children 1-12 years with AOM, 145 in G1 and 105 in G2, were investigated. Clinical symptoms including fever (p=0.001) and hearing loss (p=0.014) were significantly more frequent in the children of G1 than G2, and otalgia, discharge, and tinnitus were similarly frequent in the two groups (p>0.05). Also, eardrum inflammation was more frequent in G1 than G2, with no significant difference (p>0.05). AOM was reported 70.3% in G1, which was higher than 26.7% reported in G2 (p=0.001). Also, asthma, recurrent ear pain, enlargement of the tonsils, and respiratory problems were more frequent in G1 than G2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Parental smoking was a risk factor for AOM and respiratory problems and therefore the parents are recommended to avoid smoking near children to reduce the likelihood of AOM development and exacerbation in children.

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