This systematic review of clinical practice guidelines summarizes key recommendations and interventions related to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute otitis externa. The interventions identified in this review will contribute to the development of the World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Ear and Hearing Care Interventions (PEHCI)....
Clinicians should cross-reference their local otitis externa protocols with the WHO-aligned best-practice recommendations identified in this review, particularly in settings where formal guidelines may be absent or outdated.
Aligning diverse national guidelines with WHO standards could reduce practice variation and improve otitis externa outcomes globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- 01Systematic review evaluated existing clinical practice guidelines for otitis externa worldwide.
- 02Quality of guidelines was formally assessed to identify evidence-based recommendations.
- 03Key recommendations span prevention, diagnosis, and management of outer ear infection.
- 04Findings are intended to inform the WHO Package of Ear and Hearing Care Interventions.
- 05Published in Otology & Neurotology (MAO journal).
Existing clinical practice guidelines for otitis externa vary in quality and scope across countries.
studysupportedA consolidated set of evidence-based recommendations for otitis externa can support the WHO Package of Ear and Hearing Care Interventions.
guidelinepartially supported- PMID
- 42283198
- DOI
- 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004972.
- Journal
- Otology & Neurotology
- Publication type
- systematic_review
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Clinical practice guidelines for otitis externa from healthcare organisations and professional bodies worldwide
- Intervention
- Systematic review and quality assessment of otitis externa clinical practice guidelines
Primary outcomes
Quality ratings of included clinical practice guidelines; Summary of key recommendations on prevention, diagnosis, and management of otitis externa
