Prevalence and risk factors of chronic otitis media: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012.

Mina Park,Jun Ho Lee,Ji Sung Lee,Seung Ha Oh,Moo Kyun Park,Yingmei Feng

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0125905

Abstract

BackgroundThe performance of nationwide studies of chronic otitis media (COM) in adults has been insufficient in Korea. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of COM in Korea.MethodsThis study was conducted using data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 23,621). After excluding the subjects under 20 year old and suffered from cancers, 16,063 patients were evaluated for COM. Participants underwent a medical interview, physical examination, endoscopic examination, and blood and urine test. COM was diagnosed by trained residents in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology using an ear, nose, and throat questionnaire and otoendoscopy findings. Data on the presence and absence of COM were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify its risk factors.ResultsOf the 16,063 participants aged above 20 year old, the weighted prevalence of COM was 3.8%. In the multivariate analyses, the following factors showed high odds ratios (ORs) for COM: pulmonary tuberculosis (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-3.01), chronic rhinosinusitis (adjusted OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.17-2.98), mild hearing impairment (adjusted OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.34-2.85), moderate hearing impairment (adjusted OR, 4.00; 95% CI, 2.21-7.22), tinnitus (adjusted OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.34-2.49), increased hearing thresholds in pure tone audiometry in the right ear (adjusted OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03), and left ear (adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.04). The following factors showed low odds ratios for COM: hepatitis B (adjusted OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08-0.94) and rhinitis (adjusted OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42-0.88). In addition, high levels of vitamin D, lead, and cadmium, EQ-5D index; and low red blood cell counts were associated with development of COM (Student’s t-test, P < 0.01).ConclusionsOur population-based study showed that COM is not rare in Korea, and its development may be associated with various host and environmental factors. Further research on its relationships and the pathogenesis are needed.

Highlights

Chronic otitis media (COM) is characterized by inflammation of the middle ear that results in long-term or permanent changes in the tympanic membrane
Of the 16,063 participants aged above 20 year old, the weighted prevalence of COM was 3.8%
The following factors showed high odds ratios (ORs) for COM: pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic rhinosinusitis, mild hearing impairment, moderate hearing impairment, tinnitus, increased hearing thresholds in pure tone audiometry in the right ear, and left ear

Summary

Introduction

Chronic otitis media (COM) is characterized by inflammation of the middle ear that results in long-term or permanent changes in the tympanic membrane. These changes include perforation, atelectasis, retraction, tympanosclerosis, and cholesteatoma. COM can be classified based on whether it involves active inflammation or is associated with a cholesteatoma [1]. This disorder is a major cause of acquired hearing loss, especially in developing countries, and is a major disease entity in the field of otolaryngology. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of COM in Korea

Methods

Results

Conclusion