Prevalence of Otolaryngologic Diseases in South Korea: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of otolaryngologic diseases in Korea.MethodsWe obtained data from the 2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES), which were cross-sectional surveys of the civilian, non-institutionalized population of South Korea (n=4,930). A field survey team that included an otolaryngologist, nurses, and interviewers moved with a mobile examination unit and performed otolaryngologic interviews and physical examinations.ResultsThe prevalence of subjective hearing loss, tinnitus, preauricular fistua, tympanic membrane perforation, and cholesteatoma were 11.97%, 20.27%, 2.08%, 1.60%, and 1.18%, respectively. Dizziness and vestibular dysfunction were common among Korean adults, since 23.33% of the participants reported symptoms of dizziness or imbalance, and the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction was 3.86%. The prevalence of nasal diseases was relatively high, as the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and a deviated nasal septum were 28.01%, 7.12%, and 42.94%, respectively. Subjective dysphonia was found in 6.60% of the participants, and the prevalence of subjective dysphonia increased with age.ConclusionThis is the first nation-wide epidemiologic study to assess the prevalence of otolaryngologic diseases by both the Korean Otolaryngologic Society and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Considering the high prevalence of otolaryngologic diseases in Korea, the results call for additional studies to better prevent and manage otolaryngologic diseases.

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Comorbidities of Allergic Rhinitis in South Korea: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…This result was in accordance with previous findings from a population-based study in South Korea, although AR was diagnosed only by their symptoms without allergen tests. 7 Other studies have shown that the most prevalent type of AR is persistent moderate/severe AR. 24,25 We attribute this difference to the fact that their subjects were recruited from hospital visit- genders (test for trend, p ϭ 0.11 in men and p ϭ 0.13 in women).…”

“…Recently, a nationwide study reported that its prevalence was 28.01% in 2008, diagnosed only by nasal symptoms without an allergen test. 7 The Korean NHANES (KNHANES), which is a government-driven survey of the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has been conducted since 1998. The Korean Society of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery (KORL) participated in this project and interviews and examinations were performed by trained ear, nose, and throat (ENT) residents.…”

The Prevalence of Preauricular Sinus and Associated Factors in a Nationwide Population-Based Survey of South Korea

“…An otoscopic examination was then conducted with a 4-mm 0-degree rigid endoscope attached to a CCD camera for all participants aged 4 years or older to determine the prevalence of tympanic membrane (TM) perforation, cholesteatomatous condition including retraction pocket, and otitis media with effusion. Then, the hearing threshold and vestibular function were evaluated in participants older than 12 and 40 years, respectively, as previously described (9).…”

Prevalence of and Sociodemographic Factors Related to Voice Disorders in South Korea

“…During the otolaryngologic interview and examination, participants who were aged 19 years were surveyed for any history of voice disorders, and vocal fold examinations using rigid telescopic laryngoscopy were subsequently conducted on those participants. 1, 2 The prevalence of voice disorders in the United States was reported to be 6.6% in 2005 3 ; voice problems are more common in women than in men, and the prevalence increases with age. 4 It has been reported that 3-9% of Americans have experienced voice problems, 5 which can lead to unemployment secondary to voice problems as well as medical bills.…”