Determinants of quality of life among patients with chronic otitis media: a multivariable analysis

Our study aimed to identify the independent demographic and clinical factors associated with quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic otitis media (COM), using the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) as a disease-specific assessment tool. Multivariable regression analysis was applied to determine which variables most significantly influence patient-reported QoL.

A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on 299 adult participants at a tertiary referral center between May 2022 and May 2023. All participants completed two questionnaires: the first collected sociodemographic and clinical data, and the second was the validated COMQ-12. Otoscopic and audiological examinations were performed. Binaural hearing impairment (BHI) was calculated. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with higher COMQ-12 scores.

The mean COMQ-12 score was 28,17 ± 12,03. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that younger age (p = 0.017), presence of ear discharge (p < 0.001), tinnitus (p = 0.007) and higher BHI (p = 0.025) were strongly associated with higher COMQ-12 scores. There was no statistically significant relationship between QoL and variables such as gender, educational level, disease type or laterality, smoking status and comorbidity burden.

Younger age, ear discharge, tinnitus and BHI were independently associated with higher COMQ-12 scores indicating reduced QoL in patients with COM. Consideration of these factors in the management and treatment of COM may improve patient's QoL.