Aims: To estimate the use of medical resources and the societal impact of otitis media (OM) in children less than five years of age in Sweden.
Methods: An internet survey questionnaire was administered to a sample of parents with children <5 years of age. The survey covered socio-demographic data, characteristics of the OM episode, use of medical resources, productivity loss by the caregivers, and travel-related costs. Medical doctor confirmed OM (MD-OM) was defined as symptoms of earache or ''running'' ear, and/or a diagnosis of OM provided by a medical doctor.
Results: Of all MD-OM episodes (n = 91), in 47% a general practitioner had been consulted, in 21% a paediatrician, and in 23% an emergency department had been visited. Hospital admission occurred in one case. The MD prescribed antibiotics in 85% and over the counter drugs were bought in 69% of the episodes. In 57% of the MD-OM episodes the caregivers lost days from a paid job (mean 30.3 hours per episode, SD 19.6). In 30% of the episodes, parents reported productivity loss at work during their child's illness (mean 9.0 hours per episode, SD 12.4). The mean costs were estimated to be 6,385 SEK (575) per episode of MD-OM resulting in an economic burden to Sweden of 743,570,000 SEK (66,920,866). Fifty eight per cent of the costs were indirect non-medical costs.
Conclusions: The medical and economic burden of OM is considerable to individual families as well as to society in Sweden. This study has filled a gap in the knowledge base on the impact of OM on society.