Understanding the Impact of Eardrum Conditions on Thermometry
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, accurate body temperature measurement has become more crucial than ever. This review delves into a systematic review and meta-analysis that explores the influence of eardrum perforation and chronic otitis media on the accuracy of infrared tympanic thermometers in adults.
The Source Article Details
Effect of eardrum perforation and chronic otitis media on the results of infrared tympanic thermometer in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Yee-Hyuk Kim et al. in 2023.
The Source Article's Abstract
Background
This study was conducted to determine whether tympanic membrane perforation or chronic otitis media affects the results of an infrared tympanic membrane thermometer in adults.
Methods
A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.
Results
Four nonrandomized studies were included in the analysis. The temperatures of the bilateral eardrums (one eardrum with normal condition [control group] and the other eardrum with perforation or chronic otitis media [experimental group]) were measured for the same subject in the studies. The mean and standard deviation of the bilateral tympanic membrane temperatures were used to calculate the mean difference (MD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The fixed-effect model was utilized based on the results of the heterogeneity measurement using the Chi2 test and I2 statistic. The results of a meta-analysis in the normal eardrum (control group) and perforated eardrum, chronic suppurative otitis media with tympanic membrane perforation, or chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (experimental group) were 343 subjects (MD = 0.05; 95% CI = -0.00 to 0.11; P = .06). A meta-analysis of the normal eardrum (control group) and perforated eardrum or chronic suppurative otitis media with tympanic membrane perforation except for cholesteatoma (experimental group) found 296 subjects (MD = 0.05; 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.11; P = .10).
Conclusion
When the temperatures of the bilateral eardrums were measured using an infrared tympanic membrane thermometer, no difference was observed between the eardrum with perforation or chronic otitis media and the normal eardrum.
The Source Article References
- Reactions to tympanic temperature measurement in an ambulatory setting. by Barber, 1989 in Pediatr Nurs
- Responses of children, parents, and nurses to tympanic thermometry in the pediatric office. by Alexander, 1991 in Clin Pediatr (Phila)
- Infrared tympanic thermography in the emergency department. by Green, 1989 in J Emerg Med
- Evaluation of an infrared tympanic membrane thermometer in pediatric patients. by Kenney, 1990 in Pediatrics
- Infrared tympanic thermometer: evaluation of a new clinical thermometer. by Shinozaki, 1988 in Crit Care Med
- Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement. by Moher, 2009 in PLoS Med
- Comparison of bilateral eardrum temperatures measured using an infrared tympanic thermometer before and after surgery in patients with chronic otitis media. by Kim, 2022 in Medicine (Baltim)
- Effect of the status after ear surgery and ear pathology on the results of infrared tympanic thermometry. by Schmäl, 2006 in Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
- Does central tympanic membrane perforation affect infrared tympanic thermometer measurements in adults? by Tasli, 2018 in J Otol
- The effect of ear drainage and middle ear inflammation due to chronic otitis media on infrared tympanic temperature measurement. by Cengiz, 2021 in ENT Updates
- Testing a tool for assessing the risk of bias for nonrandomized studies showed moderate reliability and promising validity. by Kim, 2013 in J Clin Epidemiol
- Comparison of different tympanic membrane reconstruction techniques in type I tympanoplasty. by Demirpehlivan, 2011 in Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
- Pattern of tympanic membrane perforation in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. by Adegbiji, 2018 in Niger J Clin Pract
- Tympanic membrane perforations: the importance of etiology, size and location. by Castelhano, 2022 in Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
- The genius infrared tympanic thermometer: an evaluation for clinical use. by Edge, 1993 in Anaesthesia
- Otologic determining factors on infra-red tympanic thermometry in children. by García Callejo, 2004 in Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp
- Comparability of tympanic and oral mercury thermometers at high ambient temperatures. by Chue, 2012 in BMC Res Notes
- New perspectives and pitfalls of in-ear devices for physiological monitoring: a scoping review. by Masè, 2020 in Front Physiol
Citing the Source Article (APA)
Kim, Y., Park, H., Yoo, J. (2023). Effect of eardrum perforation and chronic otitis media on the results of infrared tympanic thermometer in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 102(45), e35932-e35932. 10.1097/MD.0000000000035932
Methodology and Scope of the Study
The study conducted an extensive literature search, including databases like PubMed and Embase, to gather relevant data. It focused on nonrandomized studies where the temperatures of bilateral eardrums were compared – one in normal condition and the other with perforation or chronic otitis media.
Key Findings and Analysis
- The meta-analysis included 343 subjects, providing a comprehensive overview.
- No significant difference was observed in temperature readings between normal and affected eardrums.
- The study challenges the common assumption that eardrum conditions significantly alter thermometer readings.
Implications for Medical Practice
The findings suggest that infrared tympanic thermometers remain reliable even in the presence of eardrum perforation or chronic otitis media. This insight is crucial for medical professionals who rely on these devices for quick and accurate temperature measurements.
PP-ICONS Evaluation
- Problem: Accuracy of tympanic thermometers in the presence of eardrum conditions.
- Patient: Adults with eardrum perforation or chronic otitis media.
- Intervention: Use of infrared tympanic thermometer.
- Comparison: Normal eardrum vs. affected eardrum.
- Outcome: No significant difference in temperature readings.
- Number: 343 subjects across four studies.
- Strength of Recommendation: Strong, based on systematic review and meta-analysis.
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