Incidence and Management of Acute Otitis Externa in a UK Centre Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Patients with otitis externa (OE) are commonly referred to acute ENT services after failed treatment in community. This case series analyses the prevalence and management of OE in a UK ENT rapid access clinic (RAC) prior to and following the national lockdown imposed in March 2020. Materials and Methods: Retrospective case review of all patients referred with OE to the RAC between January 2019 and March 2021 with comparison of the cohorts before and after 1st March 2020. Data anaylsed included demographics, treatment methods, rates of admission, microbiological swab and CT results and rates of necrotising otitis externa (NOE). Results: There were 239 new referrals over the total study period. The rate of referral dropped from 12.1/month to 5.8/month following the March 2020 lockdown. There were no significant differences in rates of severe infection or NOE before and after the lockdown. The most common organisms grown were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida, and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions: There was a considerable reduction in acute referrals for OE to this centre in the year following the March 2020 lockdown. There was no significant change in disease severity or management trends.