The Relationship Between Obesity and Otitis Media with Effusion in Children

Introduction:Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a widespread condition affecting children globally. This study aimed to assess the relationship between obesity in pediatric populations and the risk of developing OME.Materials and Methods:This retrospective observational study was performed in ۲۰۲۰ at Khalili and Dastgheib hospitals, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran. The study included all children aged ۲ to ۱۵ years with a confirmed OME diagnosis. Participants in the non-OME group were chosen from children who did not have OME.Results:A total of ۱۴۸ healthy individuals were included in the non-OME group, while the OME group comprised ۱۱۰ patients. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean age (p=۰.۰۴۰), weight (p<۰.۰۰۱), height (p=۰.۰۲۴), BMI (p=۰.۰۲۳), and BMI percentile (p=۰.۰۲۳) were significantly greater in the OME group compared to the non-OME group. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of males in the OME group (۶۳.۶%) compared to the non-OME group (۴۴.۰%), with this difference being statistically significant (p=۰.۰۰۱). Logistic regression analysis indicated that factors such as older age (p=۰.۰۲۳), male gender (p=۰.۰۰۱), and elevated BMI percentile (p=۰.۰۰۴) were significantly associated with the presence of OME.Conclusion:This research indicates that there is a correlation between obesity and a heightened risk of OME.

کلیدواژه ها:

Child ، Otitis media with effusion ، Obesity ، Eustachian tube