Ethnic variations and risk factors associated with pneumatisation in chronic otitis media: A morphological analysis

Objective: To identify socioeconomic and clinical factors associated with chronic otitis media and hearing loss. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, from January 1 to June 30, 2024, and comprised patients of either gender aged 10-75 years having chronic otitis media in one ear. A detailed past medical and surgical history was obtained along with demographic data and history of bilateral chronic otitis media disease. Evaluation of chronic otitis media was done using high-resolution computed tomography of temporal bone pneumatisation. Data was analysed using SPSS 27. Results: Of the 46 patients with mean age 40.96±15.613 years (range: 12-72 years), 32(69.6%) were male 14(30.4%) were female. Chronic otitis media was found more prevalent in male and Punjabi population. Hypo-pneumatisation and hearing loss were more common and significantly associated with chronic otitis media. Majority of the patients belonged to rural areas, and were uneducated. Hearing loss was associated with low socioeconomic status. Hearing loss was not associated with age and gender. Conclusion: Chronic otitis media was found to be a leading cause of avoidable deafness. Key Words: Hearing loss, Ethnicity, Middle ear infection, Otitis media, Temporal bone, social class, Low socioeconomic status, Urban population, Rural population, Hearing loss.