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Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

806 questions in 76 reviews · ENT

current versions
No studies 293 · 36.4%Ungraded 6 · 0.7%Very low 244 · 30.3%Low 170 · 21.1%Moderate 85 · 10.5%High 8 · 1%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Improvement in vertigo frequency · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.92, 1.1]2 studies · 60 participantsLow
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Improvement in vertigo frequency · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.87, 1.23]2 studies · 58 participantsLow
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Change in vertigo (global score) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 44 participantsVery low
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Change in vertigo (frequency) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 472 participantsLow
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Change in vertigo (frequency) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Change in vertigo (frequency) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Intratympanic corticosteroids vs placebo/no treatment
Serious adverse events · adults with Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.64 [0.22, 1.85]4 studies · 500 participantsVery low
Intratympanic gentamicin vs no treatment/placebo
Improvement in vertigo frequency · Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 33 [2.15, 507]1 study · 32 participantsVery low
Intratympanic gentamicin vs no treatment/placebo
Improvement in vertigo frequency · Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.63 [0.98, 2.69]1 study · 22 participantsVery low
Intratympanic gentamicin vs no treatment/placebo
Vertigo (global score)Scale from: 0 (none) to 3 (severe) · Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 26 participantsVery low
Intratympanic gentamicin vs no treatment/placebo
Vertigo (global score) Scale from: 0 (none) to 3 (severe) · Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 26 participantsVery low
Intratympanic gentamicin vs no treatment/placebo
Vertigo (frequency) · Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 22 participantsVery low
Intratympanic gentamicin vs no treatment/placebo
Serious adverse events · Ménière’s disease
Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Positive pressure therapy vs placebo
Improvement in vertigo frequency · adults with Ménière’s disease
Positive pressure therapy for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.19 [0.82, 1.71]1 study · 77 participantsLow
Positive pressure therapy vs placebo
Change in vertigo (global score) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Positive pressure therapy for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 68 participantsVery low
Positive pressure therapy vs placebo
Change in frequency of vertigo · adults with Ménière’s disease
Positive pressure therapy for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 202 participantsVery low
Positive pressure therapy vs placebo
Serious adverse events · adults with Ménière’s disease
Positive pressure therapy for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Ventilation tubes vs no treatment
Improvement in frequency of vertigo (complete resolution) at > 12 months · Ménière’s disease
Surgical interventions for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.55 [1.22, 1.97]1 study · 133 participantsVery low
Ventilation tubes vs no treatment
Change in frequency of vertigo · Ménière’s disease
Surgical interventions for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Ventilation tubes vs no treatment
Serious adverse events · Ménière’s disease
Surgical interventions for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Endolymphatic sac decompression vs placebo (sham surgery)
Improvement in vertigo (complete resolution) at 6 to ≤ 12 months (12 months) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Surgical interventions for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.3 [0.86, 1.96]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Endolymphatic sac decompression vs placebo (sham surgery)
Change in vertigo at 6 to ≤ 12 months (12 months) · adults with Ménière’s disease
Surgical interventions for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Endolymphatic sac decompression vs placebo (sham surgery)
Serious adverse events · adults with Ménière’s disease
Surgical interventions for Ménière’s disease (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adenoidectomy (with or without myringotomy) vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Hearing: proportion with normal hearing ‐ up to 12 months № of participants: 42 (1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.97 [0.65, 1.46]NRVery low
Adenoidectomy and unilateral ventilation tube vs unilateral ventilation tube only
Disease‐specific quality of life · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adenoidectomy and unilateral ventilation tube vs unilateral ventilation tube only
Presence or persistence of OME (3 years ‐ long‐term) № of participants: 74 (1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.35, 1.29]NRVery low
Adenoidectomy and unilateral ventilation tube vs unilateral ventilation tube only
Adverse event: haemorrhage · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adenoidectomy and ventilation tubes vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Hearing: hearing threshold (at 2 years ‐ long‐term) № of participants: 211(1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Adenoidectomy and ventilation tubes vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Disease‐specific quality of life · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adenoidectomy and ventilation tubes vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Presence/persistence of OME (at 2 years ‐ long‐term) № of participants: 232(1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.91 [0.82, 1.01]NRVery low
Adenoidectomy and ventilation tubes vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Adverse event: haemorrhage № of participants: 416(2 RCTs) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate
Adenoidectomy (with or without myringotomy) vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Disease‐specific quality of life · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adenoidectomy (with or without myringotomy) vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Presence or persistence of OME ‐ over 12 months № of participants: 354(3 RCTs) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.9 [0.81, 1]NRVery low
Adenoidectomy (with or without myringotomy) vs no treatment/watchful waiting
Adverse event: haemorrhage № of participants: 480(1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
Peto OR 6.77NRModerate
Adenoidectomy and bilateral ventilation tubes vs bilateral ventilation tubes only
Hearing: return to normal hearing at 6 to 9 months № of participants: 127 (1 RCT, 213 ears assessed) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.36 [0.98, 1.89]NRVery low
Adenoidectomy and bilateral ventilation tubes vs bilateral ventilation tubes only
Disease‐specific quality of life · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adenoidectomy and bilateral ventilation tubes vs bilateral ventilation tubes only
Presence/persistence of OME ‐ over 12 months № of participants: 254 (1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.96 [0.86, 1.07]NRVery low
Adenoidectomy and bilateral ventilation tubes vs bilateral ventilation tubes only
Adverse event: haemorrhage № of participants: 791(2 RCTs) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
Peto OR 6.68 [0.42, 107.18]NRLow
Adenoidectomy and unilateral ventilation tube vs unilateral ventilation tube only
Hearing: proportion of children with hearing returned to normal (12 months ‐ medium‐term) ‐ normal hearing ≤ 15 dB № of participants: 72 (1 RCT) · children aged 6 months to 12 years with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.24 [0.79, 1.96]NRVery low
Autoinflation vs no treatment
Proportion of children whose hearing is normal · otitis media with effusion (OME) in children aged 6 months to 12 years
Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 2.67 [1.73, 4.12]NRVery low
Autoinflation vs no treatment
Disease‐specific quality of life Mean difference in standardised OMQ‐14 scores (lower score is favourable) · otitis media with effusion (OME) in children aged 6 months to 12 years
Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Autoinflation vs no treatment
Pain and distress related to the procedure: otalgia · otitis media with effusion (OME) in children aged 6 months to 12 years
Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 3.5 [0.74, 16.59]NRVery low
Autoinflation vs no treatment
Persistence of OME · otitis media with effusion (OME) in children aged 6 months to 12 years
Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.8, 0.97]NRLow
Antibiotics vs placebo
Hearing ‐ return to normal hearing (as complete improvement in air‐bone gap in the worst ear) · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
Peto OR 9.59 [3.51, 26.18]NRVery low
Antibiotics vs placebo
Disease‐specific quality of life · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Antibiotics vs placebo
Presence/persistence of OME · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.68, 1.17]NRVery low
Antibiotics vs placebo
Adverse event: anaphylaxis · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Antibiotics vs no treatment
Hearing ‐ hearing threshold‡ (3 months; short‐term) № of participants: 73 (1 RCT) · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Antibiotics vs no treatment
Disease‐specific quality of life · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Antibiotics vs no treatment
Presence/persistence of OME (up to 3 months) № of participants: 542 (6 RCTs) · children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with otitis media with effusion (OME)
Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.64 [0.5, 0.8]NRLow