Table 1.

Baseline Estimates for a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of 4 Treatment Strategies for Acute Otitis Media

Variable	Baseline	Low Sensitivity	High Sensitivity	Reference(s)
WW=watchful waiting; DP=delayed prescription; GI=gastrointestinal; IV=intravenous; AOM=acute otitis media.
Clinical factors
Probability of mastoiditis—WW/DP	0.000019	0.000	0.000038	1, 34
Probability of mastoiditis—routine amoxicillin	0.000010	0.000	0.000020	1, 34
Probability of nonattendance—WW	0.203	0.173	0.233	35
Probability of nonattendance—DP	0.37	0.292	0.448	23
Probability of nonattendance—routine amoxicillin	0.06	0.044	0.076	27
Probability of clinical failure with nonattendance—any strategy	0.077	0.053	0.101	28
Probability of clinical failure; prescription for amoxicillin redeemed—DP	0.24	0.172	0.308	21
Probability of clinical failure—WW	0.175	0.147	0.203	27
Probability of clinical failure—routine amoxicillin	0.061	0.044	0.078	28
Probability of GI adverse effects	0.099	0.042	0.156	21, 30, 31
Probability of dermatologic adverse effects	0.02	0.000	0.04	32
Costs, $
Amoxicillin	9.40	7.74	14.95	36
Amoxicillin-clavulanate	47.80	31.22	71.70	36
Hospitalization for mastoiditis	5,340.00	2,670.00	10,680.00	33
Home IV antibiotics for mastoiditis (includes home nurse visits)	305.00	178.00	545.00	36, 37
Office consultation	34.23	17.12	68.46	37, 38
Non–health care	15.08	7.54	30.16	39
Work loss	91.00	46.00	182.00	39
Utilities
Day of AOM	0.79	0.713	0.867	40
Day of treatment success	0.96	0.942	0.978	40
Day of treatment failure	0.72	0.646	0.794	40
GI adverse effects from antibiotics	0.70	0.608	0.792	40
Rash from antibiotics	0.77	0.694	0.846	40