Mental health and quality of life in patients with chronic otitis media

Abstract

The present study focused on the comparison of mental health and quality of life (QoL) between chronic otitis media (COM) patients and the hearing population. The patients with chronic otitis media and healthy control group were enrolled in the study. The duration and severity of the auditory impairment were recorded. In addition to hearing loss (HL), the findings of each patient's other ear disorders (ear discharge and tinnitus) were also recorded. In both the groups, psychological symptom profile and health-related QoL were evaluated and compared using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Symptom Check List 90-Revised Form (SCL-90-R), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). According to SCL-90-R, somatization (p < 0.001), interpersonal sensitivity (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), phobic anxiety (p < 0.001), and other subscores, and also global severity index score (p < 0.001) were significantly high in patient group when compared to the control group. The patients with COM reported significantly lower levels of QoL in terms of physical role difficulty (p < 0.001), general health perception (p < 0.004), social functioning (p < 0.001), and mental health (p < 0.017) than those of control subjects. Our results indicated that COM patients with mild or moderate HL have poorer life quality and higher psychological problems. Psychological well being should be also considered in assessment of COM patients in addition to the clinical evaluation and audiological tests.

English translation and validation of the Zurich chronic middle ear inventory (ZCMEI‐21‐E) assessing quality of life in chronic otitis media: A prospective international multicentre study

“…During the last two decades, assessment ofHRQoL in chronic otitis media (COM) has gained increasing attention . In COM, HRQoL is affected by many factors, including hearing loss as well as other ear symptoms including discharge, tinnitus, vertigo and balance problems . Furthermore, patients suffering from COM may experience anxiety, depression or social isolation due to their ear disease .…”

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media: Is there a significant correlation?

“…In the United States, 48.1 million or 20.3% of the population older than 12 years have unilateral or bilateral hearing loss (3). Hearing loss causes impaired language development and speech skills in children and poorer life quality and psychological problems for adults (2, 4). …”

EEffect of chronic otitis media on anxiety/depression in adults

“…Biz bu çalışmada ileri işitme kayıplı ve tinnituslu hastaların anksiyete ve depresyon üzerine olan etkilerini dışlamak amacıyla ileri işitme kayıplı ve tinnituslu hastaları çalışmaya dahil etmedik. İleri işitme kayıpları ve tinnitustan arındırılmış pür kronik otitin psikolojik faktörler üzerine etkisi ise çok az sayıda çalışmada çalışılmış olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır [4,15]. Bizim çalışmamız özellikle bu konuda nadir yapılmış çalışmalardan olmakla beraber literatürdeki bu nadir çalışmalar da daha çok yaşam kalitesi ile yapılmış çalışmalar olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır.…”