RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Factors affecting the occurrence of otitis media with effusion in preschool and elementary school children: a comparative cross-sectional study JF BMJ Open JO BMJ Open FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP e065291 DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065291 VO 12 IS 9 A1 Restuti, Ratna Dwi A1 Tamin, Susyana A1 Nugroho, Dwi Agustawan A1 Hutauruk, Syahrial Marsinta A1 Mansyur, Muchtaruddin YR 2022 UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/9/e065291.abstract AB Objective Identify the risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME), especially laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), adenoid hypertrophy and allergic rhinitis, that could be used to develop prevention strategies in children.Design A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to make sure the adequacy of proportions of OME and non-OME cases in finding the related factors.Setting History taking, ear/nose/throat (ENT) examination, and tympanometry were performed in preschool and elementary schools. Flexible fibreoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy was performed in a bronchoesophagology outpatient clinic in a tertiary referral hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia.Participants Preschool and elementary children in East Jakarta, Indonesia were recruited for this study. A total of 2016 participants underwent history taking, ENT examination and tympanometry. The case group was 46 children with OME, and the control group was 46 children without OME. The number of subjects fulfilled the minimum sample size for two proportions comparison.Main outcome measures A type B tympanogram indicated OME. A Reflux Finding Score of more than 7 indicated LPR. Adenoid hypertrophy was diagnosed using flexible fibreoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed using a questionnaire based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase III that has been validated for Indonesians.Results The proportion of LPR in the OME group was significantly higher than in the non-OME group, at 78.3% and 52.2%. The probability of OME occurrence in patients with LPR was 3.3 times higher than in patients without LPR (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.33 to 8.189; p=0.01). There was no significant relationship between adenoid hypertrophy and OME (p=0.211; 95% CI 0.71 to 3.97), and also between allergic rhinitis and OME (p=0.463; 95% CI 0.61 to 4.28).Conclusion The probability of OME occurrence in patients with LPR was 3.3 times higher than in patients without LPR. LPR should be considered in patients with OME and vice versa.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information.