Audit of Otological Diseases amongst Elderly in Nigeria

Summary

Introduction: Aging process is associated with degeneration in different part of the body There is scarcity of literature on the otological diseases in the elderly black African especially Nigerian which is the largest African nation. Thus this study is done with the aim of highlighting the pattern of otological diseases in elderly for careful cost-effective health care plans and to make the aging period more fulfilling and tolerable to the elderly. It is therefore hope that the information will go a long way to assist other African countries as well.

Method: The study is a ten year hospital-based retrospective study between January, 1999 and December, 2008 at the ENT Department of Unilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin. All patients aged 65 years and above with otological complaints were included in the study.

Results: A total of 740 Elderly patients were included in the study. The male to female sex ratio was 1.5:1.0.Petty Traders accounted for 300 (40.5%) of cases; 87 (11.8%) were Farmers; 250 (33.8%) were Retired Civil Servants; 68 (9.2%) were Unskilled Laborers and 35 (4.7%) were full-time Housewives. Aural wax impaction was the commonest otological disease found, accounting for 360 (48.7%) of cases, Hearing loss (presbyacusis),158 (21.4%); Tinnitus,78 (10.5%) and Otomycosis,64 (8.5%).Other conditions were CSOM,34 (4.6%);Foreign body Impaction,32 (4.3%); Vertigo,10 (1.4%) and Aural Tumours,5 (0.6% ).

Conclusion: Aural wax impaction was the commonest disease found, thus it is important to always do full audiologic evaluation after aural syringing to rule out other conditions such as presbyacusis and aural tumours in elderly. Continuing medical education is recommended for the general practitioners for early recognition and referral.

Resumo

Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento está associado com a degeneração em parte diferente do corpo, há escassez de literatura sobre as doenças otológicas no Africano idosos negros, especialmente da Nigéria, que é o maior país Africano. Assim, este estudo é feito com o objetivo de realçar o padrão de doenças otológicas em idosos cuidado para planos de cuidados de saúde custo-benefício e fazer o período de envelhecimento mais satisfatório e aceitável para os idosos. É, portanto, esperamos que a informação irá percorrer um longo caminho para ajudar outros países Africano também.

Método: O estudo é uma criança de dez anos de estudo retrospectivo de base hospitalar no período de janeiro de 1999 e dezembro de 2008, no Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Unilorin Ilorin. Todos os pacientes com idade acima de 65 anos e com queixas otológicas foram incluídos no estudo.

Resultados: Um total de 740 pacientes idosos foram incluídos no estudo. O macho à relação de sexo feminino foi de 1,5:1,0. Petty Traders contabilizados 300 (40,5%) dos casos, 87 (11,8%) eram agricultores, 250 (33,8%) eram aposentados da Função Pública, 68 (9,2%) eram trabalhadores não qualificados e 35 (4,7%) eram donas de casa em tempo integral. Aural impactação da cera foi a doença mais comum encontrada otológica, sendo responsável por 360 (48,7%) dos casos, perda auditiva (presbiacusia), 158 (21,4%), zumbido, 78 (10,5%) e otomicose, 64 (8,5%). Outras condições foram OMCS, 34 (4,6%); Inclusão de corpo estranho, 32 (4,3%); Vertigo, 10 (1,4%) e Aural tumores, cinco (0,6%).

Conclusão: Impactação da cera Aural foi a doença mais comum encontrada, por isso é importante sempre fazer a avaliação audiológica completa após syringing fonética para descartar outras condições, tais como presbiacusia e tumores auditiva em idosos. Educação médica continuada é recomendado para os médicos de clínica geral para a identificação precoce e encaminhamento.

Keywords

ear diseases - aged - otitis media - suppurative

Palavras-chaves

otopatias - idoso - otite média supurativa

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