Prevalence of eustachian tube dysfunction among primary school children in Ismailia city

ABSTRACT

A cross sectional study was undertaken on 560 children aiming to detect the prevalence of Eustachian tube dysfunction among primary schoolchildren in Ismailia City. The study subjects were classified according to the clinical ENT examination into two major groups The first group comprised 300 children free from ENT disorders and the second group consisted of 260 children suffering from ENT disorders. Tympanometry was performed to all subjects. The measurement of middle ear pressure was taken as a proxy to Eustachian tube function. The prevalence of Eustachian tube dysfunction was found to be 28.3% among primary schoolchildren in Ismailia City. There was a significant relationship between Eustachian tube function and some variables such as age and type of ENT disorder. On the other hand, sex had no significant effect on Eustachian tube function. The effect of the socioeconomic status in this aspect needs further elaboration