Prevalence and Risk Factors of Otitis Media with Effusion in Patients with Adenoid Hypertrophy at Kigali University Teaching Hospital – A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a middle ear effusion without signs and symptoms of middle ear infections. It is mainly due to Eustachian tube dysfunction or sequelae of acute otitis media. There are different risks predisposing to OME (otitis media with effusion), among them adenoid hypertrophy.
METHODS: This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. Children (1 to 12 years of age) with symptoms and signs of adenoid hypertrophy were included in the study. Questions about risk factors of OME were asked, then a physical examination with pneumatic otoscopy and fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy were done as investigation tympanometry was performed to confirm the presence of OME.
RESULTS: 152 children met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of otitis media with effusion was 46%. The age group 1-4 years was highly associated with OME (p=0.024). Low Socioeconomic Status (Ubudehe category 2 and 3) was also associated with OME (p<0.05), accounting for 75% of patients. Attending daycare centers, parents with OME, previous acute otitis media (AOM), smoking at home, bottle feeding and feeding while supine, were not shown to be risk factors.
CONCLUSION: Otitis media with effusion is highly prevalent in children with adenoid hypertrophy. Proper examination is mandatory to prevent possible sequels from unnoticed OME.