Author(s)
Joseph Bonanno, BS
Lisa Zhang, MD
Woo Yul Byun, BS
Stephanie S. Wentzel, BS
Yin Ren, MD, PhD
Affiliation(s)
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Abstract:
Study Design: Retrospective Cohort
Setting: University-based tertiary medical center
Patients: Adult patients (n= 23) presenting with confirmed Malignant Otitis Externa from 2010-2022
Interventions: None
Main Outcome Measures: Data including race, marital status, zip code, days hospitalized, insurance type, five-year
mortality, admissions, and follow-up visits was collected from patients diagnosed with malignant otitis externa.
Results: A total of 39 charts were reviewed among patients with suspected malignant otitis externa between 2010-2022. 23
patients were included total. 26.1% (6/23) of patients lived in a zip code where the median family income lied below the
first quartile of our data set. There were significant associations between those lost at > 1-year follow-up & insurance type
(p = 0.016) and between those with an income below the first quartile and days hospitalized (p= 0.037). There was a
significant association between race & overall 5-year survival (p = 0.016); however, survival specific to malignant otitis
externa was not significantly associated with race (p = 0.676).
Conclusions: The income quartile of patients with malignant otitis externa had a role in the duration of their inpatient course,
possibly suggesting a more severe disease course among those from areas with a lower median family income.
Professional Practice Gap & Educational Need: Educate otologists on the role of socioeconomic factors in the
management of patients with malignant otitis externa.
Learning Objective: To gain insight into the factors contributing to disease severity in those with malignant otitis externa.
Desired
Results: Given the significant associations with income level and length of hospitalization, clinicians should be
mindful of potential financial barriers when determining a treatment plan for patients at high risk for developing malignant
otitis externa.
Level of Evidence – IV
Indicate IRB or IACUC: IRB 2022H0178