Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Summary
objective To compare a topical quinolone antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) with a cheaper topical antiseptic
(boric acid) for treating chronic suppurative otitis media in children.
design Randomized controlled trial.
setting and participants A total of 427 children with chronic suppurative otitis media enrolled from
141 schools following screening of 39 841 schoolchildren in Kenya.
intervention Topical ciprofloxacin (n 216) or boric acid in alcohol (n 211); child-to-child
treatment twice daily for 2 weeks.
main outcome measures Resolution of discharge (at 2 weeks for primary outcome), healing of the
tympanic membrane, and change in hearing threshold from baseline, all at 2 and 4 weeks.
results At 2 weeks, discharge was resolved in 123 of 207 (59%) children given ciprofloxacin, and in
65 of 204 (32%) given boric acid (relative risk 1.86; 95% CI 1.482.35; P < 0.0001). This effect was
also significant at 4 weeks, and ciprofloxacin was associated with better hearing at both visits. No
difference with respect to tympanic membrane healing was detected. There were significantly fewer
adverse events of ear pain, irritation, and bleeding on mopping with ciprofloxacin than boric acid.
conclusions Ciprofloxacin performed better than boric acid and alcohol for treating chronic
suppurative otitis media in children in Kenya.
keywords randomized controlled trial, otitis media, suppurative, fluoroquinolones, antiseptics,
eardrops, instillation, drug, hearing impairment, developing countries
Introduction
Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common
cause of hearing impairment in low- and middle-income
countries [Berman 1995; World Health Organization
(WHO) 1998]. It is defined as chronically discharging ears
(for at least the preceding 2 weeks) associated with
persistent eardrum perforations. Data on prevalence of
CSOM are uncommon, although one study estimated it at
1.1% in Kenyan schoolchildren (Hatcher et al. 1995).
Treatment aims to eradicate infection, prevent complications, heal the tympanic membrane, and improve hearing.
Treatment options include dry mopping, ear wicking,
gentle syringing, or suctioning; systemic antibiotics; and
topical treatment with either antiseptics or antibiotics,
sometimes with steroids. A Cochrane Review published in
190
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
Methods
Study site
Rural primary schools in Kisumu District, West Kenya: we
visited 165 of the 186 total. The District has the highest
infant (116.7/1000) and under 5-year (194.7/1000)
mortality in Kenya, and ear infection is common (Ministry
of Planning and National Development 2004).
Participants
School children aged 5 years and older, with (a) purulent,
aural discharge for 14 days or longer; (b) pus in the
external canal on otoscopy; and (c) perforation of the
tympanic membrane. We excluded children who had been
treated for ear infection or received antibiotics for any
other disorder in the previous 2 weeks, or who had other
ear problems (pre-existing disease, complicated otitis
media, anatomical abnormalities) or allergy to study drugs.
Interventions
Topical eardrops were given twice daily, after dry mopping, for 10 consecutive school days (no treatment at
weekends) with either ciprofloxacin eardrops (Ciloxan
0.3%; Alcon), or antiseptic eardrops (2% boric acid in
45% alcohol). Older children were appointed as ear
monitors and trained to clean and treat the infected ears,
under the supervision of trained teachers, as described in
Smith et al. (1996).
Randomization and masking
Children were randomized in a 1:1 ratio using computergenerated block randomization, stratified by school. Each
treatment pack contained two bottles of randomized
treatment and remained sealed until allocated to a child;
packs and the bottles were identical in appearance and
both treatments identical in colour and smell. Participants,
carers, and outcome assessors remained blind to the
treatment allocated throughout the study.
Field procedures
Four trained teams [each consisting of an Ear Nose and
Throat (ENT) registrar, clinical officer, and a nurse
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
(n = 216)
Allocated to ciprofloxacin
(n = 212)
Received cipro only
(n = 211)
Allocated to boric acid
Week 2 follow-up
Attended
(n = 207)
Attended
(n = 3)
(n = 2)
(n = 6)
(n = 5)
Lost to follow-up
(n = 5)
Consent withdrawn (n = 1)
Week 4 follow-up
(n = 200)
Attended:
Withdrawn at week 2
(n = 6)
Absent and withdrawn at week 4 (n = 10)
(n = 10)
(n = 204)
(n = 5)
Lost to follow-up
Consent withdrawn (n = 0)
Week 4 follow-up
Attended
Withdrawn at week 2
Absent and withdrawn at week 4
(n = 202)
(n = 5)
(n = 4)
(n = 4)
expressed as OR, 95% CI were 3.13, 2.094.69 (unadjusted); 3.16, 2.044.93 (adjusted); and at 4 weeks were
2.86, 1.914.27 (unadjusted); and 2.91, 1.884.50
(adjusted).
193
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
Antibiotic (Cipro)
Antiseptic (Boric)
Characteristic
N*
N*
Total randomized
216
211
215
Male [n (%N)]
216
11.0 (3.15)
(5.119.0)
128 (59)
211
211
11.3 (3.15)
(4.119.3)
123 (58)
Bilateral [n (%N)]
216
48 (22)
211
58 (27)
196
8 (416)
194
8 (420)
216
214
117 (55)
210
122 (58)
212
41.0 (13.3)
(16.9100)
209
42.3 (13.4)
(11.3100)
211
127 (59)
75 (35)
61 (28)
50 (23)
39 (18)
126 (60)
75 (36)
54 (26)
65 (31)
26 (12)
166
149
28
70
56
11
(17)
(42)
(34)
(7)
47
22
61
56
10
(15)
(41)
(38)
(7)
56
5 (11)
14 (30)
11 (23)
5 (11)
4 (9)
1 (2)
5 (11)
2 (4)
4 (7)
18 (32)
17 (30)
2 (4)
5 (9)
0
8 (14)
2 (4)
Antiseptic (boric)
[n/N (%)]
RR (95% CI)
P-value
Resolution at 2 weeks
1. Both ears resolve
2. Either or both ears resolve
123/207 (59.4)
132/207 (63.8)
65/204 (31.9)
77/202 (38.1)
1.86 (1.482.35)
1.67 (1.362.05)
<0.0001
<0.0001
Resolution at 4 weeks
1. Both ears resolve
2. Either or both ears resolve
130/196 (66.3)
143/197 (72.6)
90/198 (45.5)
105/198 (53.0)
1.46 (1.221.75)
1.37 (1.171.60)
<0.0001
<0.0001
194
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
Healing at 2 weeks
1. Both ears healed
2. Either or both ears
healed
Healing at 4 weeks
1. Both ears healed
2. Either or both ears
healed
Antibiotic
(cipro)
[n/N (%)]
Antiseptic
(boric)
[n/N (%)]
RR (95% CI)
P-value
15/207 (7.2)
19/207 (9.2)
14/204 (6.9)
18/202 (8.9)
1.06 (0.522.13)
1.03 (0.561.90)
0.879
0.925
31/200 (15.5)
38/200 (19.0)
20/199 (10.1)
28/199 (14.1)
1.54 (0.912.61)
1.35 (0.862.11)
0.103
0.185
2 weeks:
Cipro
Boric
4 weeks
Cipro
Boric
dB mean
improvement
(SD)
Difference
(95% CI*)
(CiproBoric)
P-value*
201
202
4.32 (11.18)
2.69 (11.67)
2.17 (0.094.24)
0.0410
196
194
5.42 (11.03)
2.63 (12.18)
3.43 (1.345.52)
0.0014
Discussion
This study is the largest trial to date comparing an
antiseptic with a quinolone antibiotic. Our results show
better resolution and hearing threshold with a quinolone
antibiotic over antiseptic. Since the Cochrane Review,
which found no trials of quinolones, there have been four
additional trials with mixed results: a study in Malawi
suggested ofloxacin was better than 2% acetic acid in 25%
spirit and 30% glycerine (for dry ears at 2 weeks, RR 6.13;
95% CI, 2.5914.53; n 53 ears) (van Hasselt 1997),
while another Malawi study (van Hasselt 1998, cited in
van Hasselt & van Kregten 2002), found a single dose of
ofloxacin 0.075% in hydroxypropyl methyl-cellulose 1.5%
(HPMC) was better than one dose of povidone iodine 1%
in HPMC 1.5% (for dry ears after 1 week, RR 3.87, 95%
CI 2.316.47, n 170). However, two trials did not find a
significant effect in favour of topical quinolone antibiotics,
but numbers were small: a trial in Israel (Fradis et al. 1997)
compared ciprofloxacin hydrochloride eardrops with a
weak concentration of 1% Burow aluminium acetate
solution (results for dry ear 24 h after the end of 3 weeks
treatment, RR 2.01; 95% CI 0.765.36, n 36), while a
study in India (Jaya et al. 2003) compared 0.3% ciprofloxacin and 5% povidone iodine (results for participants
with inactive ears at 2 weeks, RR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.82
1.26; n 39 participants).
We took resolution of discharge as our primary outcome, as this indicates clearing of the current infection, and
minimizes the risk of progression of the disease. Ciprofloxacin also had an impact on hearing, which underlines the
long-term purpose of treating this infection appropriately,
as deafness caused by CSOM may contribute to delayed
learning and behavioural disturbance (Klein 2001).
195
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
Table 5 Levels of hearing impairment at each visit (dB averaged over 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz)
Level of hearing
impairment [n (%)]*
25 dB or better (no impairment)
2640 dB (mild)
4160 dB (moderate)
6180 dB (severe)
81 dB or worse (profound)
Chi-square (d.f.), P-value
Baseline
Week 2
Week 4
Boric
Cipro
Boric
14
91
88
14
2
17
95
82
16
2
24 (11.8)
38
97 (47.6)
98
65 (31.8)
62
16 (7.8)
4
2 (1.0)
2
10.437 (4), 0.034
(6.7)
(43.5)
(42.1)
(6.7)
(1.0)
(8.0)
(44.8)
(38.7)
(7.6)
(0.9)
Cipro
(18.6)
(48.0)
(30.4)
(2.0)
(1.0)
Boric
Cipro
30 (15.3)
39
81 (41.3)
102
70 (35.7)
52
11 (5.6)
4
4 (2.0)
1
11.296 (4), 0.023
(19.7)
(51.5)
(26.3)
(2.0)
(0.5)
Week 2
Boric
Week 4
Cipro
3 (1.5)
1
26 (12.9)
28
116 (57.4)
98
53 (26.2)
62
4 (2.0)
11
0
1
7.557 (5), 0.161
(0.5)
(13.9)
(48.8)
(30.9)
(5.5)
(0.5)
Boric
Cipro
4 (2.1)
0
25 (12.9)
16
109 (56.2)
108
49 (25.3)
59
7 (3.6)
11
0
2
9.785 (5), 0.078
(8.2)
(55.1)
(30.1)
(5.6)
(1.0)
* An improvement in the level of hearing impairment means there was a decrease in the
average hearing threshold. WHO grades are as presented in Table 5.
C. Macfadyen et al. Topical quinolone vs. antiseptic for chronic suppurative otitis media
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr AW Smith, World Health Organization, for
his advice; Dr David Odeny, consultant ENT surgeon, for
his help in Kisumu; and Zedekia Owira, Inspector for
Schools. The study was funded by a Project Grant from
The Wellcome Trust (UK Registered Charity Number
210183; Grant reference number: 056756/Z/99/Z). Alcon
(Denmark and Belgium) provided the Ciloxan supplies.
References
Acuin J (2004) Chronic suppurative otitis media. In Clinical Evidence 12, 710729.
Acuin J, Smith A & Mackenzie I (2004) Interventions for chronic
suppurative otitis media (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane
Library, Issue 2, 2004. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK.
Ballantyne J & Martin JAM (1984) Deafness, 4th edn. Churchill
Livingstone, London, pp. 222224.
Berman S (1995) Otitis media in developing countries. Pediatrics
96, 126131.
Brookhouser PE, Worthington DW & Kelly WJ (1991) Unilateral
hearing loss in children. Laryngoscope 101 12641272.
Brownlee RE, Hulka GF, Prazma J & Pillsbury HC (1992)
Ciprofloxacin. Use as a topical otic preparation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 118, 392396.
Fradis M, Brodsky A, Ben David J, Srugo I, Larboni J & Podoshin
L (1997) Chronic otitis media treated topically with ciprofloxacin or tobramycin. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and
Neck Surgery 123, 10571060.
Hatcher J, Smith A, Mackenzie I et al. (1995) A prevalence study
of ear problems in school children in Kiambu district, Kenya,
May 1992. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 33, 197205.
Jaya C, Job A, Mathai E & Antonisamy B (2003) Evaluation of
topical povidone-iodine in chronic suppurative otitis media.
Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 129, 1098
1100.
Klein JO (2001) The burden of otitis media. Vaccine 19, S2S8.
Ministry of Planning and National Development (2004) The
Central Bureau of Statistics. Ministry of Planning and National
Authors
Carolyn Macfadyen (corresponding author), Paul Garner, Ian Mackenzie, Kennedy Otwombe, International Health Research Group,
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK. Fax: +44 (0) 151 705 3364; Tel: +44 (0) 151 708
9393, E-mail: cmacfadyenuk@yahoo.co.uk, pgarner@liverpool.ac.uk, macken34@liverpool.ac.uk, notwombe@yahoo.com
Carrol Gamble, Stephen Taylor, Paula Williamson, Centre for Medical Statistics and Health Evaluation, School of Health Sciences,
Shelleys Cottage, Brownlow Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GS. Tel.: 44 (0) 151 794 5121; Fax: +44 (0) 151 794 5130;
E-mail: c.gamble@liverpool.ac.uk, s.taylor01@liverpool.ac.uk, p.r.williamson@liverpool.ac.uk
Isaac Macharia, Peter Mugwe, Herbert Oburra, Section of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Surgery, University of
Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: machariaim@wananchi.com, mugwe@wananchi.com, kansel@
insightkenya.com
197