| Rosenfeld RM et al, 1994, USA | 33 trials including 5400 children with acute otitis media | Meta-analysis | Complete clinical resolution of signs (primary control) | Compared with placebo or no drug, antimicrobial therapy increased primary control by 13.7% (8.2% to 19.2%) (NNT=7) | Outcome not patient oriented |
| Antibiotics v no antibiotics | | | | |
| Glasziou PP et al, 2000, UK | 7 trials with patient related outcomes. Total inclusion of 2202 children with acute otitis media | Systematic review | Pain at 24 hours | No difference | Only one episode of mastoiditis in all the trials |
| | | Pain between 2 and 7 days | 28% (CI 15%, 38%) relative reduction with antibiotics (NNT=17) | |
| Antibiotics v no antibiotics | | | | |
| | | Hearing between 1 and 3 months | No significant difference | |