Prevalence of Otitis Media Among Patients Attending Otorhinolaryngology Clinic in Ramadi City/Iraq

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of various types of otitis media. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional observational prospective study conducted in AL-Ramadi city/Iraq during the year 2018. Individuals who attending an Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of acute suppurative otitis media (ASOM), otitis media with effusion (OME) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) were analyzed. While any subject or their relatives who don’t wish to participate in the study was excluded. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 1 month to 76 years (mean age=10.2 years±9.027). Five hundred fortyseven (54.91%) were males and 449 (45.09%) females (male to female ratio, 1.2:1). Out of 7292 cases attending Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic, a 996 (13.65%) cases had otitis media. During February, the peak frequency of OM was seen 122 (23.64%), while during April the least frequency 59 (9.57%). OM was seen in around 50% in the age group > 18 years. While, only 225 (22.59%) in age group < 5years. Four hundred and four (40.56%) had OME, 331 (33.23%) had CSOM, while 261 (26.21%) had ASOM. The observed distribution of the OM was left OM (37.56%, n=374), right OM (34.63%, n=345) and bilateral OM (27.81%, n=277). Conclusions: Otitis media has a prevalence of 13.65% among patients attending the Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic. Lack of guidelines in Iraq for treating OM has a drawback in the management of this common disease.