Retrospective Hospital Data Based Study on Acute Otitis Media: A Tertiary Care Centre Experience

Abstract

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) falls under the spectrum of Otitis media which is an inflammatory condition of the middle ear. Middle ear diseases have a significant burden on our health system and poses as an important cause of morbidity especially in the paediatric population. The Eustachian tube (ET) connects middle ear and nasopharynx and plays an important role in fluid drainage from middle ear as well as in maintaining middle ear pressure. Dysfunction in the ET, either anatomical or physiological causes AOM. Patients may present with a wide spectrum of symptomatology which maybe localised or both localised and systemic symptoms and signs. The study was done to see the prevalence and the pattern of distribution of AOM with respect to age, sex, presenting complaints and laterality in patients attending ENT OPD, NMCH, Nagaon.

Methods: This was a 2 years hospital based retrospective cross-sectional study conducted over 268 patients attending the Department of ENT at Nagaon Medical College Hospital, Nagaon and diagnosed as a case of Acute Otitis Media.

Results: Most patients with AOM belonged to the age group within 15 years (38.3%). 51.1% patients were male while 48.9% were female with Male: female ratio being 1.04:1. Earache was the commonest symptom which was seen in 79.5% cases followed by fever (73.5%) and hearing impairment 38.4%. AOM was more common in winter season in our study (38.4%) as compared to rainy and summer seasons. Maximum cases presented were unilateral (81.3%) compared to cases presenting in both ears (18.7%). Most of the patients presented with congested tympanic membrane (60.1%) while 14.9% presented with perforation of tympanic membrane.

Conclusion: AOM is a common middle ear disorder and an important health concern causing significant morbidity in all age groups. The major risk factors that contribute to the prevalence of AOM are sub- standard living conditions, overcrowding, exposure to smoke, and limited access to medical care. Hence early education on risk factors, diagnosis and management may reduce the disease burden of AOM, thus preventing hearing loss.