Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Among the Public in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Background The eustachian tube is a tubular structure connecting the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx, providing ventilation and pressure equalization in the middle ear, mucociliary clearance, and preventing the reflux of sound and fluid from the nasopharynx. Therefore, any kind of deficiency in this tube will lead to eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Aim This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of ETD in the Taif public. Materials and methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among the public in Taif, Saudi Arabia and it was done during the period between September 7 and September 28, 2021. A predesigned online questionnaire in the Arabic language was used to collect the data. The questionnaire contained three main parts. The first one included demographic questions, the second risk factors, and the third manifestations of ETD. The questionnaire was initiated after a literature review of similar articles and after experts' consultation for validity and reliability. Results A total of 693 participants completed the study questionnaire. The exact 546 (78.8%) participants were females and 671 (96.8%) were Saudi. The exact 122 (61%) participants among those who had ETD or hearing loss reported improvement in their symptoms after moving to another city below sea level. The exact 146 (21.1%) participants had ETD while 547 (78.9%) had reported normal function. ETD was detected among 69.2% of those who were previously diagnosed with ETD versus 20.1% of others (P=0.001). Participants with a family history of hearing loss showed a nearly doubled risk for having ETD (OR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.33-2.94) and smokers had nearly the same doubled likelihood(OR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.01-3.48). Conclusion In conclusion, our study revealed a slightly high prevalence of ETD and hearing loss among the public in Taif, Saudi Arabia, and the factors associated with ETD.