Global burden and prevalence of otitis media-induced hearing loss in children: 32-year study.

Background: Hearing loss in children has become a pressing public health issue, with otitis media (OM) being a leading cause. This study aims to comprehensively assess the prevalence and burden of OM-induced hearing loss in children.

Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database were used. We evaluated the Age-standardized Prevalence Rates (ASPR), Age-standardized Years Lived with Disability rates (ASYR), and Estimated Annual Percentage Changes (EAPC) over the past 32 years. The analysis included stratification, correlation analysis, and projections.

Results: From 1990 to 2021, the global prevalence of OM-induced hearing loss in children under 15 years increased from 31.18 million cases to 34.71 million cases, representing an 11.32% increase. The ASPR slightly decreased from 1793.38 to 1725.39 per 100,000 children, with an EAPC of -0.13. Boys had a higher prevalence and burden compared to girls, and the highest ASPR and ASYR were observed in children aged 5-9 years. Regions with higher Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) showed significant reductions in both prevalence and burden, while low-middle SDI regions bore a heavier burden, with ASPR 1.81 times higher and cases number 6.08 times higher than high SDI regions. Additionally, East Asia showed the largest decrease, while South Asia had the highest ASPR.

Conclusion: Although the global burden of OM-induced hearing loss has improved, South Asia and low-middle SDI regions continue to face a significant burden, with insufficient healthcare resources likely being a major issue. Additionally, continuing to advance pneumococcal vaccination and other preventive measures is equally crucial for alleviating this burden.