In Brazil, the medicines marketed for acute external otitis are ciprofloxacin and the combination polymyxin B, neomycin, and fluocinolone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of cure and cost-effectiveness of quinolone versus polymyxin B, neomycin, and steroid combined (PNS) for acute external otitis from the perspective of the Brazilian Public health system.

A systematic review was conducted using Medline, Cochrane Library, CRD and Lilacs databases. Studies evaluating quinolones versus PNS in the treatment of acute external otitis were included. A cost-effectiveness model was made using a decision tree, considering the direct cost of treatment. Univariate sensitivity analysis was conducted, considering the confidence interval of clinical outcomes and a 15 percent variation in cost.

The proportion of cure in up to 10 days was 70.1 percent with quinolone and 60.4 percent with PNS (p = 0.004). The treatment costs were BRL 16.22 (USD 5.02) with quinolone and BRL 3.04 (USD 0.94) with PNS. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was BRL 136.25 (USD 42.15) per cure in up to 10 days for quinolone in relation to PNS. This value was more sensitive to clinical outcomes, ranging from BRL 95.48 (USD 29.54) to BRL 254.25 (USD 78.65) for cure with quinolone and from BRL 90.77 (USD 28.08) to BRL 262.57 (USD 81.23) for cure with PNS. These values should be considered with caution because acute external otitis is resolved within a few days and treatment effectiveness is not measured by life years.

There are few studies on therapeutic alternatives available in Brazil. Through the available evidence, there is a lack of results on the effects attributed to each drug. Considering the higher effectiveness, low cost and rational use of antibiotics, quinolone is considered a cost-effective alternative for acute external otitis in Brazil.