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A Strong Decline in the Incidence of Childhood Otitis Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Netherlands.
Hullegie, Saskia; Schilder, Anne G M; Marchisio, Paola; de Sévaux, Joline L H; van der Velden, Alike W; van de Pol, Alma C; Boeijen, Josi A; Platteel, Tamara N; Torretta, Sara; Damoiseaux, Roger A M J; Venekamp, Roderick P.
  • Hullegie S; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Schilder AGM; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Marchisio P; evidENT, Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • de Sévaux JLH; National Institute for Health Research, Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • van der Velden AW; Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Milan, Italy.
  • van de Pol AC; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
  • Boeijen JA; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Platteel TN; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Torretta S; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Damoiseaux RAMJ; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Venekamp RP; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol ; 11: 768377, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1523678
ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Recent reports have highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of infectious disease illnesses and antibiotic use. This study investigates the effect of the pandemic on childhood incidence of otitis media (OM) and associated antibiotic prescribing in a large primary care-based cohort in the Netherlands. Material and

Methods:

Retrospective observational cohort study using routine health care data from the Julius General Practitioners' Network (JGPN). All children aged 0-12 registered in 62 practices before the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2019 - 29 February 2020) and/or during the pandemic (1 March 2020 - 28 February 2021) were included. Data on acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), ear discharge episodes and associated antibiotic prescriptions were extracted. Incidence rates per 1,000 child years (IR), incidence rate ratios (IRR) and incidence rate differences (IRD) were compared between the two study periods.

Results:

OM episodes declined considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic IR pre-COVID-19 vs COVID-19 for AOM 73.7 vs 27.1 [IRR 0.37]; for OME 9.6 vs 4.1 [IRR 0.43]; and for ear discharge 12.6 vs 5.8 [IRR 0.46]. The absolute number of AOM episodes in which oral antibiotics were prescribed declined accordingly (IRD pre-COVID-19 vs COVID-19 -22.4 per 1,000 child years), but the proportion of AOM episodes with antibiotic prescription was similar in both periods (47% vs 46%, respectively).

Discussion:

GP consultation for AOM, OME and ear discharge declined by 63%, 57% and 54% respectively in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar antibiotic prescription rates before and during the pandemic indicate that the case-mix presenting to primary care did not considerably change. Our data therefore suggest a true decline as a consequence of infection control measures introduced during the pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Otitis Media / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Child / Humans / Infant Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Front Cell Infect Microbiol Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Fcimb.2021.768377

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Otitis Media / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Child / Humans / Infant Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Front Cell Infect Microbiol Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Fcimb.2021.768377