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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
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Serious complications ‐ measured at 19 to 24 days · people (of any age) with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Suspected ototoxicity ‐ measured at 10 days to 3 weeks · people (of any age) with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 3 [0.13, 71.92]3 studies · 250 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured at 1 to 2 weeks · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured after 4 weeks (4 weeks) (Metronidazole plus gentamicin‐steroid drops compared to gentamicin‐steroid alone) · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.91 [0.51, 1.65]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured after 4 weeks (6 weeks) (Oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole plus topical antibiotics and steroid ear drops compared to topical antibiotic and steroid ear drops alone) · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.54 [1.09, 2.16]1 study · 98 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Health‐related quality of life ‐ unclear · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment/placebo
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured after 4 weeks · children with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Hearing ‐ unclear · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 38 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Serious complications ‐ mastoid abscess measured at 12 weeks · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.07, 15.86]1 study · 101 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Suspected ototoxicity · people with CSOM; one study included patients of unknown age; one study included children with CSOM who had not…
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured between 1 week and up to 2 weeks · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Resolution of ear discharge (4 weeks or more) ‐ measured at 3 to 4 months · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.75, 1.41]1 study · 136 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Health‐related quality of life · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Hearing ‐ measured at 3 to 4 months · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 204 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Serious complications · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antiseptics
Suspected ototoxicity · schoolchildren with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 204 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment/placebo
Health‐related quality of life · children with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment/placebo
Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · children with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment/placebo
Hearing · children with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 33 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment/placebo
Serious complications ‐ during 6 months of · children with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 33 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment/placebo
Suspected ototoxicity · children with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured at 1 to 2 weeks · people (of any age) with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.93, 1.12]5 studies · 390 participantsLow
Systemic antibiotics vs no treatment or placebo on top of topical antibiotics
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ measured after 4 weeks · people (of any age) with CSOM
Systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ 1 to 2 weeks · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.48 [1.24, 1.76]3 studies · 285 participantsLow
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Health‐related quality of life · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Hearing · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Serious complications · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Suspected ototoxicity · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ 1 to 2 weeks · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
RR 2.93 [1.5, 5.72]1 study · 56 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Resolution of ear discharge after 4 weeks · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Health‐related quality of life · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 56 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Hearing · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 56 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Resolution of ear discharge ‐ after 4 weeks · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Serious complications · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid combination
Suspected ototoxicity · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 56 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Health‐related quality of life · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Hearing · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Serious complications · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs oral quinolone
Suspected ototoxicity · people (of any age) with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 265 participantsVery low
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Resolution of ear discharge at 1 to 2 weeks · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical quinolone vs intramuscular gentamicin
Resolution of ear discharge after 4 weeks · adults with CSOM
Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Anti‐IL‐4Rα mAb (dupilumab) vs placebo (on top of topical steroids)
Health‐related quality of life ‐ disease‐specific (SNOT‐22, range 0 to 110, lower = better) · patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 784 participantsHigh
Anti‐IL‐5 mAb (mepolizumab) vs placebo (on top of topical steroids)
Disease severity ‐ VAS (range 0 to 10, lower = better) · patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 72 participantsVery low
Anti‐IL‐5 mAb (mepolizumab) vs placebo (on top of topical steroids)
Serious adverse events · patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.57 [0.07, 35.46]2 studies · 135 participantsVery low
Anti‐IL‐5 mAb (mepolizumab) vs placebo (on top of topical steroids)
Avoidance of surgery ‐ patients still meeting the criteria for surgery At end of · patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.78 [0.64, 0.94]2 studies · 135 participantsVery low