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Biomedical subjects

Richard M Rosenfeld

Publications and source records attributed to Richard M Rosenfeld.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Extracts from The Cochrane Library: antihistamines and/or decongestants for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children.

The "Cochrane Corner" is a quarterly section in the Journal that highlights systematic reviews relevant to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, with invited commentary to highlight implications for clinical decision making. This installment features a Cochrane Review entitled "Antihistamines and/or decongestants for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children," which recommends against treatment because of no demonstrable benefits but significant potential for harm.

Comment↗

Levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals.

OBJECTIVE: To identify trends in clinical research and levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We reviewed all original research articles from 1993, 1998, and 2003, in 4 major otolaryngology journals. Levels of evidence were graded 1 (strongest) through 5 (weakest). RESULTS: Of 2584 total articles, 1924 (75%) were clinical research. During the study period, there was increased median sample size (from 22 to 30, P=0.06), more planned research (from 30% to 37%, P=0.023), more internal control groups (from 36% to 43%, P=0.011), and more articles with P values (from 26% to 45%, P<0.001) or confidence intervals (from 1.2% to 7.6%, P<0.001). Most evidence was level 4 (57%), but median levels increased slightly over time (P=0.027). Therapy articles had the weakest evidence (80% levels 3 to 5) and diagnostic test assessments had the strongest (75% levels 1 and 2). CONCLUSION: Although clinical research increased in quantity and quality, sample sizes were modest, most articles lacked controls, and confidence intervals were rare. Therapy articles would benefit from higher evidence levels. SIGNIFICANCE: By defining the current levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals, this overview should help guide future efforts.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

Systematic review of topical antimicrobial therapy for acute otitis externa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of topical antimicrobials for acute otitis externa. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials with parallel groups permitting one or more of the following comparisons: antimicrobial vs placebo, antiseptic vs antimicrobial, quinolone antibiotic vs nonquinolone antibiotic, steroid-antimicrobial vs antimicrobial, or antimicrobial-steroid vs steroid. RESULTS: Twenty trials met inclusion criteria and 18 had data suitable for pooling. Topical antimicrobials increased absolute clinical cure rates over placebo by 46% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29% to 63%) and bacteriologic cure rates by 61% (95% CI, 46% to 76%). No significant differences were noted in clinical cure rates for other comparisons, except that steroid alone increased cure rates by 20% compared with steroid plus antibiotic (95% CI, 3% to 38%). Quinolone drops increased bacteriologic cure rates by 8% compared with nonquinolone antibiotics (95% CI, 1% to 16%), but had statistically equivalent rates of clinical cure and adverse events. CONCLUSION: Topical antimicrobial is highly effective for acute otitis externa with clinical cure rates of 65% to 80% within 10 days of therapy. Minor differences were noted in comparative efficacy, but broad confidence limits containing small effect sizes make these of questionable clinical significance. SIGNIFICANCE: Summary estimates from the 13 meta-analyses can be used to facilitate evidence-based management recommendations and clinical practice guideline development.

Acute Disease↗

Factors influencing publication of abstracts presented at the AAO-HNS Annual Meeting.

OBJECTIVE: To examine abstracts presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Annual Meeting and to identify factors associated with publication success. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: All abstracts published in the August 1999 official program issue of the AAO-HNS Journal were examined. MEDLINE searches were performed to assess publication success. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors related to successful publication. RESULTS: We identified 473 abstracts, of which 260 (55%) were poster presentations. Median publication time was 16 months, with a publication rate of 50%. Multivariate analysis revealed oral presentation, statistical analysis, and number of authors to be the most significant predictive factors of publication success (odds ratios of 2.2, 1.9, and 1.2 respectively). Level of evidence did not correlate with publication success, even when case reports (n = 70) were excluded from the analysis. Publication rates in other disciplines ranged from 25% to 68%, with a mean of 47%. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of publication from the AAO-HNS Annual Meeting is similar to other disciplines. Oral presentations with inferential statistics in the abstract were most likely to be published. Conversely, level of evidence and direction of study inquiry were not significant predictors, suggesting that research design is a less important determinant of publication success. SIGNIFICANCE: Our investigation is one of the first to critically analyze the factors in presentations at annual meetings that predict successful publication.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Evidence.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biomedical Research↗

Clinical practice guideline: acute otitis externa.

OBJECTIVE: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to manage diffuse acute otitis externa (AOE), defined as generalized inflammation of the external ear canal, which may also involve the pinna or tympanic membrane. The primary purpose is to promote appropriate use of oral and topical antimicrobials and to highlight the need for adequate pain relief. STUDY DESIGN: In creating this guideline, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) selected a development group representing the fields of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, infectious disease, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and medical informatics. The guideline was created with the use of an explicit, a priori, evidence-based protocol. RESULTS: The group made a strong recommendation that management of AOE should include an assessment of pain, and the clinician should recommend analgesic treatment based on the severity of pain. The group made recommendations that clinicians should: 1) distinguish diffuse AOE from other causes of otalgia, otorrhea, and inflammation of the ear canal; 2) assess the patient with diffuse AOE for factors that modify management (nonintact tympanic membrane, tympanostomy tube, diabetes, immunocompromised state, prior radiotherapy); and 3) use topical preparations for initial therapy of diffuse, uncomplicated AOE; systemic antimicrobial therapy should not be used unless there is extension outside of the ear canal or the presence of specific host factors that would indicate a need for systemic therapy. The group made additional recommendations that: 4) the choice of topical antimicrobial therapy of diffuse AOE should be based on efficacy, low incidence of adverse events, likelihood of adherence to therapy, and cost; 5) clinicians should inform patients how to administer topical drops, and when the ear canal is obstructed, delivery of topical preparations should be enhanced by aural toilet, placing a wick, or both; 6) when the patient has a tympanostomy tube or known perforation of the tympanic membrane, the clinician should prescribe a nonototoxic topical preparation; and 7) if the patient fails to respond to the initial therapeutic option within 48 to 72 hours, the clinician should reassess the patient to confirm the diagnosis of diffuse AOE and to exclude other causes of illness. And finally, the panel compiled a list of research needs based on limitations of the evidence reviewed. CONCLUSION: This clinical practice guideline is not intended as a sole source of guidance in evaluating patients with AOE. Rather, it is designed to assist clinicians by providing an evidence-based framework for decision-making strategies. It is not intended to replace clinical judgment or establish a protocol for all individuals with this condition and may not provide the only appropriate approach to the diagnosis and management of this problem. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first, explicit, evidence-based clinical practice guideline on acute otitis externa, and the first clinical practice guideline produced independently by the AAO-HNSF.

Acute Disease↗

Human botfly infestation presenting as peri-auricular mass.

To report a new cause of peri-auricular mass in children: cutaneous myiasis-botfly infestation. Case report. The human botfly (Dermatobia hominis) is found in the tropics of Central and South America. However, cases of infestation are uncommon in the United States. We present the case of a 5-year-old girl with cutaneous myiasis in order to expand the differential diagnosis for a peri-auricular mass in children. In our report, the parasite was initially identified as sparganum, but was later reclassified by the center for disease control and prevention (CDC) as a botfly larva. Parasitic infection should be considered with a newly noted head and neck mass, and cutaneous myiasis should be included in the differential diagnosis. Cutaneous myiasis has not been previously reported in the literature describing the peri-auricular region as the site of occurrence. Furthermore, when an unusual parasite is extracted from a lesion, it should be confirmed by an authority such as CDC for definitive diagnosis, so appropriate plan of care and follow up can be instituted.

Animals↗

Age as a prognostic factor for complications of major head and neck surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if age alone is a prognostic indicator of surgical outcomes for major head and neck procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study over a 4-year period. SETTING: Academic referral center, institutional practice, hospitalized care. PATIENTS: Included in this study were patients who had undergone ablative, reconstructive, and other major surgical procedures of the head and neck, including neck dissection, laryngectomy, maxillectomy, thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy, and composite resection of the oral cavity with reconstruction, for both malignant and benign disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient data and intraoperative and postoperative course factors were recorded. Comorbidity was graded using an Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 test, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and American Society of Anesthesiology score. Postoperative complications were dichotomized, and multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Medical chart review identified 157 cases. Analysis of data revealed that time under general anesthesia was the only factor consistently related to complications (P<.006), and it was the only factor consistently related to length of stay (P<.001). Analysis of major complications (6% incidence) as an outcome using univariate analysis resulted in a strong positive correlation with both comorbidity indexes: Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 (P = .002) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (P = .005). Multiple logistic regression showed no significant relationship between age 70 years or older (20% of patients) and either complications or hospital length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Patient's age alone is not a prognostic indicator of surgical outcome for major head and neck procedures. However, comorbidity is an important predictive factor for postoperative complications in any age group. Time under general anesthesia showed a statistically significant relationship with complication rate and hospital length of stay in multivariate analyses. Consequently, prevention of complications should focus on optimizing preoperative comorbid conditions.

Adolescent↗