Analysis of tinnitus severity and associated factors in patients with chronic otitis media in a low- to middle-income country

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the tinnitus severity in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) and describe the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with tinnitus severity. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Two otology-referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Sociodemographic, clinical associated factors and quality of life questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. STUDY SAMPLE About 231 adults with COM. RESULTS Up to 51.5% of the patients reported severe tinnitus discomfort, 21.7% moderate discomfort, and 26.8% minor discomfort. Factor associated with increased tinnitus severity in patients with COM were older age (aOR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), higher education (aOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.03-4.87), ear discharge during childhood (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02-3.45), cholesteatoma in one ear (aOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.05-4.88), and pure-tone air average over 15 dB (aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.28-3.36). Differences of 10-points in symptoms severity and 15-points in the total score of the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" were found between the tinnitus severity groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the need for further research on the associated factors of tinnitus severity on COM patients. COM patients with higher tinnitus severity presented worse audiometric results and worse quality of life outcomes.