Occurrence of Otitis Media in an Arctic Region

Abstract

The occurrence of otitis media (OM) was examined retrospectively in files at Longyearbyen Hospital, Svalbard, Norway during 1991–1994. Acute OM (AOM) with and without spontaneous drum perforation, secretory OM (SOM) and chronic OM (COM) with and without suppuration were registered, as were patient's sex, age, and climatic conditions. These findings were compared with weather observations obtained from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Tromsa in the same period. Sixty-four percent of the OM patients registered were classified as AOM, 17% having a spontaneous drum perforation. Thirty percent suffered from SOM, whereas 6% had COM. Forty percent of the patients were younger than 6 years. The distribution of OM cases during the year showed a peak during the spring, especially in May. Another minor peak was noted in September. Average daily temperature in the period was — 56°C range — 14°C to + 6°C. Humidity and precipitation were fairly stable throughout the observation period 74% and 240 mm/year, respectively. OM is a common disease at Svalbard and is apparently related to seasonal shifts in temperature.

Key Words:

• middle ear
• climate
• children
• inflammation
• temperature