Epidemiological Burden of Otitis Media Among U.S. Males: Trends, Risk Factors, and Public Health Implications

BackgroundOtitis media includes acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic suppurative otitis media. It causes substantial morbidity, especially among children and older adults. This study assessed the burden of otitis media among U.S. males from 1990 to 2021.MethodsUsing Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates, we analyzed incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for otitis media among U.S. males. Age-specific patterns were described, and temporal trends in age-standardized rates were evaluated using Joinpoint regression. Attributable risk factors, particularly smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, were examined.ResultsOtitis media cases increased from approximately 4.10 million in 1990 to 4.57 million in 2021, while the age-standardized incidence rate rose from 3,899.1 to 4,146.8 per 100,000 population. Deaths decreased from 32.3 to 21.2, although Joinpoint analysis showed increasing mortality during 2010-2019. DALYs increased from 24,304.9 to 26,872.8, whereas the age-standardized DALY rate decreased from 20.9 to 18.9 per 100,000. The highest incidence and DALY burden occurred among children aged 5-9 years, while deaths were concentrated mainly among older adults. Behavioral risks, especially tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, were the leading attributable risk factors.ConclusionOtitis media remains an important health burden among U.S. males, with distinct age-specific patterns. Targeted prevention, smoking-related risk reduction, and early diagnosis and treatment in children and older adults may help reduce its future burden.