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. 2006 Mar 1;56(524):176–182.

Table 2.

Predictors of episodes of earache reported after 1 year.

Had earache n (%) Did not have earache n (%) Crude OR (95% CI) Adjusted OR (95% CI)a LR χ2 (P-value)
Symptoms and signs:
 High temperature 18 (21) 18 (13) 1.73 (0.84 to 3.55) 1.88 (0.85 to 4.17) 2.40 (0.12)
 Vomiting 19 (24) 26 (20) 1.28 (0.66 to 2.50) 1.45 (0.72 to 2.92) 1.09 (0.30)
 Ear discharge 27 (34) 32 (24) 1.61 (0.87 to 2.96) 1.40 (0.72 to 2.69) 0.98 (0.32)
 Bulging drum 42 (50) 63 (47) 1.13 (0.65 to 1.95) 1.01 (0.56 to 1.83) 0.00 (0.98)

Past history — prior episodes of otitis media:
 0 28 (37) 73 (60) 1 1 8.04 (0.005) (test for trend)
 1 26 (35) 28 (23) 2.42 (1.22 to 4.82) 2.42 (1.22 to 4.82)
 2 21 (28) 21 (17) 2.61 (1.24 to 5.49) 2.61 (1.24 to 5.49)

Family/social factors — child care:
 Playgroup 14 (25) 19 (21) 1 1 1.52 (0.47)
 Nursery 7 (12) 15 (15) 0.68 (0.22 to 2.12) 0.46 (0.13 to 1.62)
 School 36 (63) 58 (64) 0.84 (0.38 to 1.89) 0.79 (0.33 to 1.90)

OR = odds ratio. LR = likelihood ratio.

a

Adjusted for significant predictors of outcome. Other variable assessed in models and shown not to predict outcome: asthma, eczema, exposure to smoke in the home, educational status of parents, history of breast feeding, past and current use of dummy, sibling having had otitis media.