Ethnic differences in otitis media [abstract]

ABSTRACT

The comparative incidence of Otitis Media (OM) has long been difficult to ascertain as almost all previous epidemiological studies were performed in comparatively homogenous populations. In an attempt to question the racial variation of OM, a study was done in Trinidad, with a population of 1.2 million people. About 40 percent of the population is of African ancestry, 40 percent of East-Indian ancestry and 20 percent includes persons of mixed ethnicity, Caucasian, Chinese and middle-Eastern descent. All patients who presented with acute otitis media (AOM), middle ear effusion (MEE), or chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) either of the tubo-tympanic (TT) or attico-antral (AA) types, during the period November 1998 to May 1999, were included in the study. The three national otolaryngology Departments participated in the study suggesting that patients were representative of the whole population. A questionnaire was devised with documented ethnic and other demographic factors. This was completed once an experienced physician diagnosed the patient with one of the above conditions. Two hundred and fifty-two patients enrolled in the study. There were 128 males and 124 females and the age range was 4 months to 83 years. Sixty patients presented with AOM, 88 with MEE and 104 with CSOM. The most interesting result was the ethnic distribution of the patients. One hundred and thirty-eight were of East-Indian descent and 71 were of African origin, a ratio of nearly 21. In conclusion, in a national population containing nearly equal numbers of two major ethnic groups, the East Indians presented twice as commonly as the Africans with otitis media. Various proposed reasons for this will be discussed. (AU)