Dizziness in adults with chronic otitis media at two otology referral centres in Colombia: a cross-sectional study in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dizziness and its associated factors in patients with COM at two otologic referral centres in a middle-income country. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Adults with and without COM diagnosis from two otology-referral centres in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Dizziness and quality of life were assessed using the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" (COMQ-12), and sociodemographic questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 231 adults. RESULTS: Of the 231 participants, up to 64.5% (n = 149) reported at least mild inconvenience due to dizziness. Factors associated with dizziness included female sex (aPR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.46), chronic suppurative otitis media (aPR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.21-7.52), and severe tinnitus (aPR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.24-2.48). An interaction was found between socioeconomic status and educational level, with more frequent reports of dizziness in the middle/high economic status and secondary education (aPR: 3.09; 95% CI: 0.52-18.55; p < 0.001). Differences of 14 points in symptom severity and 18.5 points in the total score of the COMQ-12 were found between the groups with dizziness and without dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Dizziness was frequent in patients with COM and was associated with severe tinnitus and quality of life deterioration.

Analysis of tinnitus severity and associated factors in patients with chronic otitis media in a low- to middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the tinnitus severity in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) and describe the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with tinnitus severity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Two otology-referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Sociodemographic, clinical associated factors and quality of life questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: About 231 adults with COM. RESULTS: Up to 51.5% of the patients reported severe tinnitus discomfort, 21.7% moderate discomfort, and 26.8% minor discomfort. Factor associated with increased tinnitus severity in patients with COM were older age (aOR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), higher education (aOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.03-4.87), ear discharge during childhood (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02-3.45), cholesteatoma in one ear (aOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.05-4.88), and pure-tone air average over 15 dB (aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.28-3.36). Differences of 10-points in symptoms severity and 15-points in the total score of the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" were found between the tinnitus severity groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for further research on the associated factors of tinnitus severity on COM patients. COM patients with higher tinnitus severity presented worse audiometric results and worse quality of life outcomes.

Associated factors, health-related quality of life, and reported costs of chronic otitis media in adults at two otologic referral centers in a middle-income country.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of chronic otitis media (COM) in low to middle-income countries, there are few studies regarding its associated factors, health-related quality of life, and treatment costs. This study aimed to identify associated factors of COM, assess its impact on the quality of life as well as estimate the patients' reported costs of COM treatment in Colombia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Two otology-referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Questionnaires focusing on sociodemographic and clinical associated factors, quality of life, and patients' reported costs were administered to 200 adults with COM diagnosis and 144 control adults. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. RESULTS: The mean age was 42.2 years (SD: 14.44). The median length of COM was 26.13 years (SD: 17.06), and 79.5% of the COM patients reported otorrhea during childhood (P-value: 0.01). The most frequently reported allergic disease among our study population was allergic rhinitis (26.5%). COM was less frequent in patients with a medium-high socioeconomic status (PR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39-0.72), and more frequent in patients who reported increased ear discharge due to upper respiratory tract infections (PR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.68-1.70). The global score of the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" showed a difference of 9 points between patients with active and inactive COM (P < 0.001). Patients spent between 12.07% to 60.37% of their household income on expenses related to COM. CONCLUSIONS: Associated factors found in this study are consistent with previous reports. COM has a significant financial impact and affects patients' quality of life. Worldwide research addressing these issues in poor-resource countries is scarce, further studies are needed.

Validation of a Spanish version of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure for Chronic Otitis Media (COMQ-12).

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is considered an important aspect of clinical assessment and health research. Chronic Otitis Media (COM) is related to the quality of life deterioration subsequent to COM symptoms, social communication impairments, and lower work performance. However, there is no reliable information regarding the impact of this disease on health and quality of life in many resource-poor countries. Therefore, we translated into Spanish the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) for the evaluation of HRQoL of Chronic Otitis Media (COM) in adult patients. Also, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the questionnaire. METHODS: Two otology referral centers in Bogotá, Colombia were included. The Spanish version of COMQ-12 was applied twice to 200 adult patients with confirmed COM diagnosis and 31 healthy controls to perform the validation process and assess the internal consistency of this questionnaire. Psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity) of the COMQ-12 were assessed. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were conducted via structural equation modeling to test the questionnaire's structure. RESULTS: The Spanish version of the COMQ-12 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.86, McDonald's Omega: 0.89). Coefficients corresponding to Lin's Concordance test and test-retest reliability were 0.95 and 0.83 respectively. Correlation between the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the COMQ-12 was 0.68 (95% CI 0.59-0.75, p value < 0.001). Factor analysis of the Spanish version of the COMQ-12 indicated a questionnaire structure with three domains: smelly discharge related symptoms; hearing loss related symptoms; and impact on work, lifestyle, and health services. CONCLUSION: This Spanish version of the COMQ-12 showed high reliability and high internal consistency. This questionnaire can be used as an objective clinical tool to assess the HRQoL of patients who have a COM diagnosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe, Ethical Committee Registration ID: CCEI-8807-2018. Hospital de San José, Ethical Committee: Record number 500, DI-I-0632-18.

Cochlear implant in patients with single sided deafness: hearing results and communicative benefits.

Objective: Evaluate auditory results and communicative benefits in adult patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) treated with cochlear implantation.Study Design: Observational descriptive case series.Setting: Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá.Patients: Ten patients with profound post-lingual SSD were treated with cochlear implantation between January 2011 and March 2016. Two patients were excluded because of incomplete follow-up.Interventions: Medical records included demographic information, pre and post-operative audiometric results, and binaural and monoaural speech discrimination tests in three sound-in-noise configurationswith the cochlear implant turned on and off, respectively. Subjective improvement was evaluated using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ-B).Main Outcome Measures: Pre and post-operative audiometric and speech discrimination results, post-operative binaural and monoaural speech discrimination in noise results, and APHAB and SSQ-B questionnaire results.Results: Significant improvement in speech discrimination in a noisy environment was found when the noise and signal were presented from the front, and when the signal was presented to the implanted ear and the noise to the healthy ear. SSQ-B questionnaire showed improvement in all subscales, while APHAB showed improvement in all subscales except sound aversion.Conclusion: Patients with SSD showed improvement regarding communication skills and sound discrimination in a noisy environment.

Estapedotomía con abordaje totalmente endoscópico para el manejo de otoesclerosis: experiencia de un hospital en Bogotá / Total endoscopic stapedotomy for otosclerosis: the experience of a hospital in Bogota

Objetivo: describir la experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de la otoesclerosis con estapedotomía totalmente endoscópica en el Servicio de Otología del Hospital Infantil Universitario de San José en Bogotá, entre enero 2017 y diciembre 2018. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de serie de casos con recolección prospectiva, en el cual se evaluaron los pacientes con diagnóstico de otoesclerosis manejados con estapedotomía endoscópica para determinar hallazgos audiológicos prequirúrgicos, detalles de técnica quirúrgica, desenlace auditivo y complicaciones. Resultados: se incluyeron 10 pacientes con otoesclerosis manejados con estapedotomía totalmente endoscópica. La mediana del GAP aero-óseo (GAO) preoperatorio fue 22,4dB (RIQ 15,6-28,3), logoaudiometría con mediana de discriminación del lenguaje al 100% a 72,5dB (RIQ 67,5-77,5). GAO postoperatorio (POP) de 5,3db (RIQ 3,87-6,61), una mediana de logoaudiometría al 100% de 50dB (RIQ 46,25- 61,25). El 90% de pacientes requirió movilización del nervio cuerda del tímpano, ninguno con sección del mismo. El 90% requirió fresado de la pared posterosuperior. El 30% presentó procidencia del nervio facial grado 1. El 30% presentó disgeusia en el POP temprano que persistió en dos pacientes a los 3 meses POP. El 60% presentó vértigo en el POP inmediato, todos con resolución a los 3 meses. Ningún paciente presentó dolor en el POP inmediato, solo un paciente presentó dolor leve a los 8 días. Conclusión: la estapedotomía totalmente endoscópica para el manejo de la otoesclerosis, ha demostrado ser una opción terapéutica segura con alta tasa de éxito, mejoría auditiva con un cierre GAO exitoso y bajo riesgo de complicaciones.

Objective: to describe the experience in the surgical management of otosclerosis with total endoscopic stapedotomy in the Otology Department of the Hospital Universitario Infantil de San José in Bogotá, between January 2017 and December 2018. Methods: descriptive case series. Patients diagnosed with otosclerosis who were managed with endoscopic stapedotomy were evaluated to determine preoperative audiologic testing, details of the surgical technique, auditory outcomes and complications. Results: ten cases of otosclerosis managed with endoscopic stapedotomy were included. The median preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 22,4 DB (IQR 15.6-28.3) and in the speech audiometry the median speech discrimination was 100% at 72.5 dB (IQR 67.5-77, 5). The postoperative ABG was 5.3 dB (IQR 3,87- 6,61) and in the speech audiometry the median speech discrimination was 100% at 50 dB with a (IQR 46.25-61.25). 90% of the patients required mobilization of the corda tympani nerve and none required section of it. 90% required drilling or curettage of the scutum. 30% presented with grade 1 facial nerve prolapse. 30% presented disgeusia, 60% immediate postoperative vertigo with resolution at 3 months and no patient presented pain in immediate postoperative. Conclusion: endoscopic stapedotomy for the management of otosclerosis has proven to be a safe treatment option with high success rates, auditory improvement with a successful ABG closure and low risk of complications.

COVID-19: generalidades, comportamiento epidemiológico y medidas adoptadas en medio de la pandemia en Colombia / COVID-19: Generalities, epidemiological behavior and measures adopted in the middle of the pandemic in Colombia

En diciembre de 2019 se reportó a la oficina de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) los primeros casos de neumonía de etiología desconocida en Wuhan, Provincia Hubei, China. Posteriormente, se identificó como agente causal un nuevo virus de la familia coronavirus (CoV). La enfermedad fue nombrada por la OMS como enfermedad coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19, por su sigla en inglés). Por su rápida expansión global y alta infectividad, se declaró la enfermedad como una emergencia sanitaria mundial. La mortalidad se ha visto que varía dependiendo de la región. Múltiples países, incluyendo Colombia, han logrado desarrollar medidas de contención fundamentadas en el aislamiento social con un gran impacto socioeconómico secundario. El siguiente artículo describe el cuadro clínico del virus, su comportamiento epidemiológico en Colombia y qué medidas públicas se han adoptado en Colombia y otros países latinoamericanos frente a la pandemia.

In December 2019, the first cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Subsequently, a new coronavirus family virus (CoV) was identified as the causal agent. The disease was named by the WHO as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Due to its rapid global expansión and high infectivity, the disease was declared a global health emergency. Mortality has been seen to vary depending on the region. Multiple countries, including Colombia, have managed to develop containment strategies based on social isolation with an important secondary socioeconomic impact. The following article describes the virus clinical features, its epidemiology in Colombia and public health measures taken in Colombia and other countries in latin america in response to the pandemic.

COVID-19: generalidades, comportamiento epidemiológico y medidas adoptadas en medio de la pandemia en Colombia / COVID-19

En diciembre de 2019 se reportaron a la oficina de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) los primeros casos de neumonía de etiología desconocida en Wuhan, Provincia Hubei, China (1). El vínculo entre los pacientes ubicó la fuente de contagio en los mercados de pescados y mariscos de Wuhan. Se identificó un nuevo virus de la familia coronavirus (CoV), denominado por el Comité Internacional de Taxonomía de Virus como síndrome respiratorio agudocoronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (2). Consecuentemente, la enfermedad fue nombrada por la OMS como enfermedad coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19, por su sigla en inglés). El COVID-19 se caracteriza por un cuadro de infección respiratoria (3). Dentro de la población de alto riesgo se encuentran adultos mayores, pacientes con comorbilidades cardiovasculares, alteraciones metabólicas, enfermedad pulmonar crónica, estados de inmunosupresión y profesionales de la salud. Con respecto a los médicos, se han visto altas tasas de mortalidad en especialidades como otorrinolaringología, anestesiología, neumología y odontología (1, 3, 4). Al finalizar marzo de 2020, se han reportado más de 660 000 casos y 30 000 muertes en más de 200 países, por lo cual la OMS declaró la enfermedad COVID-19 por SARS-CoV-2 una emergencia sanitaria mundial (5). El siguiente boletín tiene como objetivo describir el cuadro clínico del virus, su epidemiología en Colombia y qué medidas públicas frente a la pandemia se han adoptado en Colombia y otros países.