Understanding pediatric inpatient conductive hearing loss: An analysis of patient demographics
Dean G Kennedy1, Preetha Velu1, Jonathan M Carnino1
1Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America.
Insights
This study found that while Black children had a higher likelihood of conductive hearing loss (CHL), income significantly impacted diagnosis rates. Socioeconomic factors, not just race, are crucial for understanding pediatric hearing loss disparities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Public Health
Background:
- Conductive hearing loss (CHL) is a common pediatric condition impacting development and quality of life.
- Early intervention is critical for managing CHL and mitigating its effects on children.
- Understanding demographic factors associated with CHL prevalence is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific patient demographic factors correlated with the prevalence of pediatric conductive hearing loss.
- To analyze the influence of race and income on CHL diagnosis in children.
- To examine associations between demographic variables and CHL in the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) for inpatient data of patients under 21 years old in 2016.
- Included patients diagnosed with conductive hearing loss, excluding neonatal cases within 28 days of birth.
- Performed statistical analyses including weighted odds ratios and multivariate regression to assess demographic associations.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of pediatric CHL was 51.62 per 100,000 patients in 2016.
- Black patients showed a higher likelihood of CHL diagnosis compared to the general population.
- Lower income levels were associated with a decreased probability of CHL diagnosis, even after adjusting for other factors.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic factors, particularly income, significantly influence the likelihood of CHL diagnosis in children.
- While race showed initial correlations, multivariate analysis indicated income, age, sex, and region were significant factors.
- Further research is necessary to address healthcare disparities in pediatric hearing loss diagnosis and management.
Objective:
Hearing loss is a common sensory impairment in children that affects quality of life and development. Early intervention, such as hearing aids and communication therapies, can help children overcome these challenges and lessen the impact on their development. The objective of this study was to identify specific patient demographic factors correlated with the prevalence of pediatric conductive hearing loss.
Study Design:
The study utilized the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality which collects inpatient information from hospitals for patients under 21 years old. We included all patients discharged in 2016 diagnosed with conductive hearing loss, and excluded neonatal patients discharged within 28 days of birth.
Methods:
Statistical analyses were performed using R Studio and IBM SPSS Statistics. Weighted odds ratios were calculated for conductive hearing loss in relation to race and income, and a multivariate regression analysis examined associations between demographic variables and race categories in conductive hearing loss.
Results:
The prevalence of conductive hearing loss (CHL) in pediatric patients in 2016 was 51.62 cases per 100,000 patients. Non-Hispanic White patients had the highest prevalence, while Black patients had the highest likelihood of CHL compared to the overall population. Lower income levels were associated with a decreased probability of CHL diagnosis. After adjusting for age, sex, hospital region, insurance, and income on multivariate analysis, White and Black patients were less likely to be diagnosed with CHL. Furthermore, patients in specific income quartiles also had lower CHL likelihood compared to the general population.
Conclusion:
While Black patients had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with CHL than the general population, socioeconomic factors such as income greatly influenced the likelihood of CHL diagnosis. Other significant factors included income, region of the country, sex, and age. Further research is needed to better understand and address healthcare disparities related to pediatric hearing loss.
