[Change in otosclerosis presentation over two decades]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Medical History

Background:

• Otosclerosis is a condition affecting hearing.
• Understanding temporal trends in otosclerosis presentation is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical presentation of otosclerosis in two distinct decades: the 1980s and the 1990s.
• To identify significant changes in patient demographics and audiological parameters over time.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient documentation from two treatment periods: 1980-1990 (Group I) and 1991-2000 (Group II).
• Comparison of patient groups based on sex, age, oval window obliteration, bilateral disease, bone conduction threshold, air conduction threshold, and air-bone gap.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in sex, age, or bone conduction thresholds between the two groups.
• Oval window obliteration incidence was similar (10% vs. 4.7%), with no statistical significance.
• Bilateral otosclerosis was significantly more frequent in the 1980s (96.3%) compared to the 1990s (81.8%) (p < 0.01).
• Patients treated in the 1990s exhibited significantly smaller air conduction thresholds and air-bone gaps (p < 0.001) compared to those treated in the 1980s.

Conclusions:

• Otosclerosis presentation has evolved, with patients in the 1990s experiencing less severe hearing loss and smaller air-bone gaps.
• The reduced prevalence of bilateral otosclerosis in the later decade suggests a potential shift in disease manifestation or diagnosis.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering temporal trends when evaluating and managing otosclerosis.