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Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies
Published on: October 22, 2014
Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Otomycosis: A Case-Control Study
Peng Liu1, Chunsheng Ye1, Lili Zhuang2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and risk factors of otomycosis.
Methods:
A case-control study included 160 patients with otomycosis as the case group and 320 healthy individuals as the control group. Clinical data were collected through a standardized questionnaire, including habitual ear picking, ear cleaning at salons, swimming habits, use of earphones/hearing aids, external auditory canal stenosis, and presence of diabetes. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors.
Results:
The most common symptom was ear fullness/blockage (28.3%). Otoscopic examination before debridement most frequently revealed external auditory canal secretions (45.2%). Aspergillus species were the predominant pathogens, accounting for 80.0% of cases. Binary multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the following as significant risk factors for otomycosis: habitual ear picking (OR = 2.748, 95% CI: 1.669-4.525, P < .001), ear cleaning at salons (OR = 7.434, 95% CI: 3.023-18.281, P < .001), and external auditory canal stenosis (OR = 3.737, 95% CI: 2.384-5.857, P < .001). Swimming habits, frequent use of earphones/hearing aids, and diabetes were not significantly associated with otomycosis.
Conclusion:
Frequent ear picking, ear cleaning at salons, and external auditory canal stenosis are major risk factors for otomycosis.
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