A Large Study on Otological Diseases from South India: A Decade Report - Abstract
Background and objectives: Otological diseases involving patho-physiological
changes in ear sometimes leads to significant hearing disability that has an important
health concern in developing countries. The aim of the study is to determine the
prevalence of otological diseases and its associated hearing loss.
Methods: A total of 3548 cases with otological diseases referred to MAA ENT
hospitals, Hyderabad, from 2004 to 2014 were considered for the study. Detailed
histories, clinical examinations, disease specific otological tests and confirmatory
diagnosis were all recorded in special case proformas.
Results: Chronic suppurative otitis media was the most common disease and
occurrence of otological diseases is more in urban areas. The mean age of onset
was significantly varying with male gender in chronic suppurative otitis media and
presbycusis. It was observed that otosclerosis showed male preponderance while
female preponderance was seen in referred otalgia. Otological diseases were
significantly associated with hearing loss, chronic suppurative otitis media (OR=3.82;
95% CI=2.49-3.87) and otosclerosis (OR=3.59; 95% CI=1.40-9.23) of middle
ear while Menieres disease (OR=15.75; 95% CI=2.74-90.48) in case of inner ear.
Moreover, the hearing disability by otitis media decreased over the past decade while
increased in presbycusis and otosclerosis.
Interpretation & conclusions: Chronic suppurative otitis media was the most
prevalent disease and with male preponderance in all otological diseases except
in referred otalgia. The prevalence of hearing loss in otitis media, otosclerosis and
presbycusis over a period indicates an early detection and intervention strategies to
be established for reducing or preventing the onset of hearing loss.