| アブストラクト | INTRODUCTION: Otitis media (OM) is a common condition in children that can significantly deteriorate quality of life and lead to learning difficulties due to hearing loss. Despite having a lower disease burden in Japan compared to some other countries, the prevalence of OM remains troublesomely high. Investigating the dynamics of disease-related patterns through digital epidemiology can uncover social and clinical factors underlying OM incidence. METHODS: Paediatric OM was studied using digital records of insurance charges for tympanometry (TM), medical supervision charges for chronic OM with effusion (MSC), tympanostomy (TS), and tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI) that are registered in the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) Open Data from 2014 to 2022. Analyses were done by age group and sex, pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19. A ratio was calculated from pre- and during-COVID-19 data to assess the impact of the pandemic on paediatric incidence of OM. RESULTS: Pre-COVID 2019, a declining trend was observed in the number of TM and MSC in children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend significantly decreased in 0-4- and 5-9- year-olds. The number of TS and TTI cases also decreased substantially and continued to decline even post-2020. Lifestyle changes, including mask-wearing and reduced social activity during the pandemic, may have contributed to these reductions. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of insurance claims data in Japan shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the occurrence and treatment of OM in children decreased significantly, particularly in 0-9-year-olds. These changes may be associated with a decline in pediatric respiratory infections, potentially attributable to increased awareness and implementation of infection prevention measures related to COVID-19. This study provides valuable insights into OM trends in children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The findings underscore the need for continued surveillance of paediatric OM, particularly in light of ongoing societal changes. |
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