Demographic characteristics of patients with otitis media with effusion during the COVID-19 epidemic / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To assess changes in the demographic characteristics of patients with otitis media with effusion during the COVID-19 epidemic.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed cases of otitis media with effusion in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Beijing Tongren Hospital.The cases were divided into two groups:a pre-Covid-19 group(from December 1,2018,to January 31,2019),and a Covid-19 group(from December 1,2022,to January 31,2023).Patient demographics including age,sex,ear side and audiology results were collected.Additionally,age composition ratio,sex composition ratio,disease-side ratio,and audiological results were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 1 872 patients were included in the pre-COVID group,with an average age of(30.45±23.17)years(949 males and 923 females).Among them,910 were children and 962 were adults.The Covid-19 group included 1 194 patients,with an average age of(48.31±18.92)years(623 males and 571 females).Among them,95 were children and 1 099 were adults.Statistical analysis of the data revealed that the overall age distribution of the disease was different between the two groups(Z=-20.820,P＜0.001).There was a significant difference in the composition ratio of children to adults(χ2=546.838,P＜0.001),with a significant decrease and increase in the prevalence rate of otitis media with effusion in children and adults,respectively,in the COVID-19 group.Compared to the pre-COVID-19 group,the proportion of cases in the age group of 7-18 years was significantly reduced in the children's group(Z=-5.641,P＜0.001),and the proportion of prevalence increased significantly in the adult group aged 46-75 years(Z=-3.134,P=0.002).Additionally,there was a significant increase in the number of male patients in the Covid-19 group(χ2=5.15,P=0.023)when compared to the pre-COVID-19 group.CONCLUSION Compared to the pre-Covid-19 period,a significant change in the age distribution of otitis media with effusion was observed during the COVID-19 epidemic,with a significant decrease in the proportion of children and a signification increase in the proportion of adults.