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. 2006 Mar 1;56(524):176–182.

Table 4.

Predictors of poor score (9 or more) on function scale after 1 year.

Had poor function n (%) Did not have poor function n (%) Crude OR (95% CI) Adjusted OR (95% CI)a LR χ2 (P-value)
Symptoms and signs:
 High temperature 9 (19) 28 (16) 1.24 (0.54–2.86) 1.53 (0.64–3.66) 0.89 (0.35)
 Vomiting 12 (26) 35 (21) 1.35 (0.63–2.88) 1.28 (0.59–2.78) 0.38 (0.54)
 Ear discharge 18 (39) 42 (25) 1.94 (0.98–3.86) 1.62 (0.79–3.32) 1.67 (0.20)
 Bulging drum 23 (50) 83 (47) 1.11 (0.58–2.12) 1.03 (0.52–2.02) 0.01 (0.94)

Past history — prior episodes of otitis media:
 0 17 (37) 87 (57) 1 1 4.56 (0.033) (test for trend)
 1 16 (35) 38 (25) 2.15 (0.99–4.71) 2.15 (0.99–4.71)
 2 13 (28) 29 (19) 2.29 (0.99–5.29) 2.29 (0.99–5.29)

Family/social factors — child care:
Playgroup 6 (20) 27 (23) 1 1 1.24 (0.54)
Nursery 3 (10) 18 (15) 0.75 (0.17–3.39) 0.61 (0.13–2.89)
School 21 (70) 73 (62) 1.29 (0.47–3.55) 1.25 (0.44–3.58)

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.