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[Care for elderly patients at an ENT clinic. Descriptive study]
E Calvo Boizas1, A Rodrguez Gutiérrez, F Gómez Toranzo
1Servicio de ORL y Patología Cérvico-Facial, Hospital Virgen de la Vega, Salamanca.
Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola
|March 26, 1999
Summary
This study analyzed ENT disorders in older adults, finding ear issues like cerumen impaction were most common. Chronic pharyngitis was also frequent, particularly in women over 65.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Aging populations increase the prevalence of various health conditions.
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) disorders significantly impact the quality of life for older adults.
- Understanding age-related ENT conditions is crucial for targeted healthcare interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the spectrum of ENT disorders in patients aged 65 and older.
- To identify the most common presenting complaints in this demographic.
- To analyze gender differences in ENT disorder prevalence among geriatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, one-year study was conducted.
- Data were collected from 1,516 patients attending an ENT clinic.
- A subset of 439 patients were aged 65 and above.
Main Results:
- Ear disorders were the most frequent reason for consultation (61.21%).
- Cerumen obstruction was the leading cause of new patient visits (29.84%).
- Chronic pharyngitis was the second most common complaint (affecting 82.8% of women in this group). Malignant tumors represented 2.2% of new cases.
Conclusions:
- Ear-related issues, especially cerumen impaction, are highly prevalent in older adults seeking ENT care.
- Chronic pharyngitis is a significant concern, with a notable gender disparity.
- This study highlights the need for focused ENT services for the geriatric population.