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Patients’ experience of necrotising otitis externa: a qualitative study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2022

E Owen ,
R Abrar  and
E Stapleton Open the ORCID record for E Stapleton [Opens in a new window]
E Owen
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
R Abrar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
E Stapleton*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Emma Stapleton, Department of Otolaryngology, Peter Mount Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK E-mail: emmastapleton@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Background

Necrotising otitis externa is a serious infective condition. Patients are typically frail, diagnostic delay is common and severe pain is a key feature. This study aimed to qualitatively analyse patient-centred data to identify key themes in the patient's experience.

Methods

Open-ended questionnaires were sent to 28 patients. Responses were qualitatively analysed using a grounded theory approach. Iterative cycles were used to develop codes using a constant comparison technique. Emerging categories were refined to identify core themes.

Results

Four main themes emerged: severe pain, mental health, quality of life and diagnostic delays.

Conclusion

This is the first study to explore patients’ perspectives in necrotising otitis externa. It indicates a need to raise awareness of necrotising otitis externa, and to improve symptom management, pain control and quality of life. This valuable information can be used to identify research priorities, guide service improvements, improve clinical care and feed into the development of a Core Outcome Set for necrotising otitis externa.

Keywords

Otitis ExternaPainPatientsQuality Of LifeDiabetes MellitusOsteomyelitisQualitative Research
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 137 , Issue 4 , April 2023 , pp. 356 - 362
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr E Stapleton takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

This paper was presented orally at the British Society of Otology free papers meeting 30th June 2021, where it won the prize for best presentation by a medical student.

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