Otomycosis in Jos: Predisposing factors and Management.

Background: Otomycosis is a challenging and frustrating common Otologic condition to both patients and managing clinician. This fungal infection most often involves the squamous epithelium of the external auditory canal and is; characterized by pruritus, occasional otalgia and hypoacusis.

Objectives: To highlight the predisposing factors and management of Otomycosis in our center.

Study design: Retrospective review of 35 patients with a clinical diagnosis of otomycosis treated from January 2012 to March 2013.

Setting: The study was carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, in the outpatient clinic of the department of Ear Nose Throat & Head.

Participants: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with otomycosis had their medical data analyzed for this study.

Intervention: Antifungal eardrop was used for dressing the ears.

Result: 35 patients were seen within 15 months period (Jan. 2012- Mar. 2013). There were 11 males: 24 females given a gender ratio of 1:2.1. The commonest age group involved was 41-50(25.71%). There were 13, 10 and 6 cases of right, left and bilateral cases of Otomycosis m respectively. 16 cases were seen during the wet season and 19 cases during the dry season. In terms of occupation, house wives and civil servants constitute 28.60 and 17.15 % respectively. Diabetic mellitus was noted in1 (2.86%) patient.

Conclusion: The predisposing conditions for Otomycosis are present in Jos environment and can usually be diagnosed by clinical examination. This study suggested that otomycosis found are predominantly unilateral, more common in older age group, in female mainly housewives, civil servants and Candida species is the most common causative organism implicated in causation of otomycosis and treated with clotimazole containing drugs. Discontinuation of antifungal agent is most appropriate in antibiotic induced otomycosis.