Factors predicting a specific ENT management
Patients were significantly more likely to require specific ENT intervention when referred by a physician as compared to patients presenting spontaneously (OR=2.39 [1.50-3.81], p=0.0003). This selection was even better when the referring doctor was an ENT surgeon who had physically examined the patient (OR=3.26 [2.02-5.29], p<0.0001).
Management did not differ significantly between out-of-hours or business hours admissions (OR=1.41 [0.39-5.04], p=0.6005). Head and neck cancer history was not predicting a specific ENT management (OR=0.93 [0.63-1.38], p=0.7188). Conversely, any ENT history within the month made it more likely to require a specific ENT intervention (OR=5.30 [3.69-7.61], p<0.0001), in particular if this ENT history was a surgery (OR=29.23 [12.37-69.09], p<0.0001). Nose complaints were more likely to require technical or surgical management than ear or throat complaints (OR=2.71 [1.66-4.42], p=0.0001). Most frequent nose presentations were epistaxis and post-operative care. The likelihood of requiring a specific ENT treatment is summarized in Table 3.