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Otitis media: relationship to tonsillitis, sinusitis and atopic diseases
K J Kvaerner1, K Tambs, J R Harris
1Division of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, SAEP, Oslo, Norway.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
This study analyzed Norwegian twins, finding moderate correlations between upper respiratory tract infections and atopic diseases, with stronger associations in males. Ear infections predispose children to sinusitis and tonsillitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Childhood infections like ear infections, tonsillitis, and sinusitis are common.
- Atopic diseases, such as hay fever, are also prevalent in children.
- Understanding co-morbidity helps in managing and preventing these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the co-morbidity between ear infections and other childhood diseases.
- To investigate the relationship between upper respiratory tract infections (URI) and atopic diseases.
- To explore potential sex differences in disease associations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of population-based data from 7992 Norwegian twins.
- Correlational analysis to assess disease associations.
- Calculation of relative risks for sinusitis and tonsillitis based on ear infection history.
Main Results:
- Two clusters identified: upper respiratory tract infections (URI) and atopic diseases.
- Moderate, significant correlations within URI subgroup (0.191–0.363) and atopy subgroup (0.134–0.466).
- Ear infections significantly predispose to sinusitis (RR 3.4 males, 1.9 females) and tonsillitis (RR 2.3 males, 2.0 females).
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports a common predisposition for URIs and atopic diseases, but with moderate correlation between subgroups.
- No significant co-variation found between ear infections and hay fever.
- Associations between these conditions were generally stronger in males.