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Sociodemographic Analysis of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Repeat Tympanostomy Tube Placement
Grant E Gochman1, Nina Dharmarajah1, Veronica Drozdowski-Nuccio2
1Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA.
Insights
Race and ethnicity influence repeat bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement (rBMT). Black and Hispanic children were less likely to undergo repeat BMT, highlighting sociodemographic disparities in pediatric otolaryngology care.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Health
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Repeat bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement (rBMT) is a common pediatric otolaryngologic procedure.
- Understanding factors influencing rBMT is crucial for equitable healthcare delivery.
- Sociodemographic disparities may impact access to or recommendations for repeat tympanostomy tube procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with repeat bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement (rBMT).
- To identify potential disparities in the utilization of repeat tympanostomy tube procedures within a diverse pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients undergoing BMT at a quaternary academic medical center.
- Collection of demographic, medical, and socioeconomic data.
- Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression to evaluate associations with rBMT.
Main Results:
- A total of 216 patients underwent rBMT, with a mean of 3.09 surgeries per patient.
- Black and Hispanic individuals were significantly less likely to undergo rBMT (P < .05).
- No statistically significant association was found between social vulnerability index (SVI), insurance type, or distance from the medical center and rBMT (P > .05).
Conclusions:
- Race and ethnicity are significant factors associated with a decreased likelihood of repeat bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement.
- Sociodemographic factors such as SVI, insurance, and proximity to the medical center did not show a statistically significant association with rBMT.
- Findings highlight the need to address racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric otolaryngology procedures.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with repeat bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement (rBMT) in the diverse patient population at our academic medical center.
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Setting:
Tertiary academic medical center.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients seen at a quaternary medical center who underwent BMT was conducted. Demographic, medical, and socioeconomic information was collected. Fisher's exact test was used to estimate the association between rBMT with all nominal responses. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between patient variables and rBMT.
Results:
There were 216 (69% male) patients who underwent rBMT. The mean number of BMT surgeries in those requiring rBMT was 3.09. Black & Hispanic individuals were less likely to undergo rBMT (P < .05). There were no statistically significant association between social vulnerability index (SVI), type of insurance or distance from the medical center and rBMT (P > .05).
Conclusion:
When looking at sociodemographic disparities in those who underwent rBMT, our study demonstrates race and ethnicity were statistically significant factors for decreased likelihood of repeat BMT. SVI, insurance type, and distance from the medical center were not statistically significant in terms of likelihood of rBMT.