Improving Outcomes of Necrotising Otitis Externa (IONOE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study to Improve Outcomes of Necrotising Otitis Externa in the UK
IRAS ID
280342
Contact name
Susanne Hodgson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
niversity of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Necrotising Otitis Externa (NOE for short) is a severe ear infection that causes bad ear pain and hearing loss. Older people are particularly at risk of getting NOE, but it can also affect those with diabetes or a poor immune systems. There are no national or international guidelines for how to diagnose or treat NOE.
In this study, specialists working at a number of hospitals in the UK will keep detailed records of how they diagnose and treat NOE, and whether the treatment works. We will analyse this information to find out the risk factors for NOE, which scans and surgical samples are the best way to diagnose this disease, and which type and dose of antibiotics work best. Doctors currently do not know what is the best way to manage NOE, with different people trying different things – we hope that our analysis will formulate the optimal strategy for managing NOE and improve outcomes.
We are also interested to know more about the bacteria most commonly associated with this infection. We will be asking the question whether the specific bacteria that causes NOE has any characteristics that make it more likely to cause severe, invasive infection.
We will ask patients involved in this study to read an information booklet, sign a consent form and complete a ‘quality of life questionnaire’ at the beginning and end of the study. Patients won’t need to attend any special clinics or have any special tests, most of the information will be collected from their medical notes and scans.
We will publish our results in clinical and medical journals, to help with future clinical studies and guidelines on management NOE with particular benefit for the elderly.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0033
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion