Changes in the Incidence of Pediatric Otitis Media Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea: A Study Utilizing a HIRA-Customized Cohort for the Population Aged ≤18 Years.

Objectives: To investigate the changes in the incidence of otitis media and ventilation tube insertion (VTI) rates among South Koreans aged ≤18 years since the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze the impact of social distancing and increased personal hygiene.

Study design: A retrospective cohort study utilizing health insurance claim data.

Setting: Healthcare facilities across South Korea.

Patients: Individuals aged ≤18 years diagnosed with acute suppurative otitis media (AOM), chronic serous otitis media (SOM), or acute mastoiditis (AM).

Intervention: Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, including VTI procedures.

Main outcome measure: Changes in the monthly average number of patients and episodes of AOM, SOM, and AM, and the number of VTI procedures, comparing pre-COVID-19 (2018-2019) to post-COVID-19 (January 2020-May 2021) periods.

Results: The monthly average number of patients with AOM and number of episodes decreased by 56.6% and 62.9%, respectively (Estimate: 0.37 [95% CI: 0.30-0.46], p = 0.01) post-pandemic. SOM patients and episodes decreased by 58.2% and 61.2%, respectively (estimate, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.33-0.46; p = 0.01). AM patients and episodes decreased by 15.8% and 16.6%, respectively (estimate, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69-1.00; p = 0.06). The monthly average number of VTI procedures for AOM and SOM also decreased significantly post-pandemic.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in the incidence of otitis media and VTI surgeries in South Koreans aged ≤18 years. This decrease may be attributed to the implementation of social distancing measures and increased personal hygiene practices during the pandemic. These findings provide valuable insights for preventing and managing pediatric otitis media during future respiratory pandemics and similar public health emergencies.