Does watchful waiting reduce costs in acute otitis media?

Author’s conclusions: the appropriate use of watchful waiting for the management of acute otitis media could simultaneously improve health outcomes and save costs for society. In contrast, the authors interpret that this attitude could imply an increase in visits, requiring additional education from parents and health personnel.

Reviewer’s commentary: this cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrates that watchful waiting management for acute otitis media in patients meeting criteria of the AAP guidelines, stratifying by age and severity symptoms, is associated with lower total costs and also avoids the loss of years of life due to disability. It would be necessary to conduct cost studies in Primary Care, adapted to our environment where it can be ensured a more exhaustive monitoring of patients and the costs could be even lower.