Research at Bond

Current Research Projects

Easing the pain of middle Ear Infection

Topically applied anaesthetics may provide more effective pain-relief than antibiotics in the treatment of middle ear infections.

The Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) Group, based at Bond University, is currently investigating the effectiveness of these topical analgesics for treating acute otitis media, particularly in young children.

Co-ordinating editor of the ARI Group and Bond’s Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Professor Chris Del Mar says that middle ear infection is one of the most common conditions experienced in early childhood.

“Almost every baby will have a middle ear infection before the age of one and it is undoubtedly one of the most painful experiences they will go through,” said Professor Del Mar.

“Up until a few years ago, antibiotics were the mainstay in terms of treatment. But we have since determined that they have little impact on recovery.

“Whilst it’s reassuring to know that the condition will improve without intervention, parents are still faced with the problem of a small child in extreme pain. Ordinary paracetamol and other oral painkillers are simply not strong enough, and stronger ones may be unsuitable for children.

“There have, however, been at least one or two trials conducted which indicate that the application of a topical anaesthetic directly into the ear canal may be quite effective.

“The ARI Group’s project is to seek out any other similar trials conducted around the world and assess them in terms of results and compatibility, in the hope of being able to recommend a more effective treatment for the pain of middle ear infection.”

Bond’s ARI Group is one of 50 Cochrane Collaborative Review Groups whose role is to examine and compare medical treatment trials carried out around the world.

Their reviews are published in the Cochrane Library, an online resource that gives general practitioners, specialists and other clinicians immediate access to the very latest medical research, allowing them to choose clinical care options based on that evidence.

Professor Chris Del Mar has been involved with the Cochrane Collaboration for more than a decade and is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on this system of Evidence Based Medicine.

Key Project Team Members

  • Professor Chris Del Mar - Bond University
  • Ruth Foxlee - Bond University
  • Liz Dooley - Bond University
  • Jessica Wejfalk - Bond University
  • Ann-Charlott Johansson - Bond University
  • Alice Bhasales - Bond University

Funding Sources

Contact:

Professor Chris Del Mar
MA MB BChir MD FRACGP FAFPHM

Acute Respiratory Infections Group
Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine
BOND UNIVERSITY QLD 4229
AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 7 5595 2504
Email: cdelmar@bond.edu.au
www.bond.edu.au/cochranegroup