Analysis of incidence and genetic predisposition of preauricular sinus

To evaluate the incidence of preauricular sinus, the association between preauricular sinus of a parent and their children, and the odds of hearing impairments in patients with preauricular sinus.

A cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated data from 23,533 subjects who were interviewed between 2010 and 2012.

The incidence of unilateral preauricular sinus was 1.3% and that of bilateral preauricular sinus was 0.3%. Female gender was statistically associated with preauricular sinus (adjusted odd ratio, AOR=1.401). There was no statistical difference between right- and left-sided preauricular sinus. There was an association between parents and their children for bilateral preauricular sinus (AOR of father's bilateral preauricular sinus=35.711; AOR of mother's bilateral preauricular sinus=7.683), but there was no association found for unilateral preauricular sinus. There was no link found between hearing impairment and preauricular sinus.

This large population-based study provides reliable information about the incidence of preauricular sinus, the association between preauricular sinus in parents and their children, and the lack of an association with hearing impairment; these results can help clinicians in the management of their patients.