A study on clinical and epidemiological profile of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) at a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the common problems encountered by individuals in India. It can cause permanent hearing loss at a very early age if not treated at earliest. Objective: To study clinical and epidemiological profile of 123 CSOM cases observed at the S.S. Medical College & G.M. Hospital, Rewa. Materials and Methods: The present study was a case series of 123 patients of CSOM who presented to the S.S. Medical College and G.M. Hospital, from November 2012 to February 2013. Result: Male preponderance was seen with age ranging from 1 year to 70 years. Most patients 45(36.59 %) belong to the age group of 10–20 years. Most patients belong to poor socioeconomic status (SES class IV, V comprise more than three-fourth of patients). Most of the patients (81.30%) visited to an ENT specialist for the first time. Most of the patients belonged to rural background (65.04%). Bilateral CSOM was less frequent (only 17.07%). Safe CSOM was more common (89.43%) as compared to cases with unsafe CSOM (10.57%). Hearing complaints were present in 52.85 % cases. Conclusion: CSOM is a common condition in developing countries and requires support and cooperation of both medical professionals and patients for the proper and timely management of the problem.