Clinicoepidemiological Presentation and Management of Ophthalmological Symptoms among Patients with Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases

Abstract

Background: Ophthalmological presentations among otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases are very common and the awareness is paramount in patients’ effective care. This study aimed at determined the clinicoepidemiological presentation and management of ophthalmological symptoms among patients with ear, nose, throat, head and neck diseases. Materials and Methods: This was an hospital based prospective study carried out in the Ear, Nose and Throat department of Ekiti state university teaching hospital Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Data were obtained by using assisted self-administered structured questionnaire on sociodemographic features, ophthalmological and Otorhinolaryngological symptoms. Results: The patients’ peak age group was 41-50 years in 25.3%. There were 61.4% males with male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Family physician were the commonest source of referral in 38.6%. The most common Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck symptom was nasal obstruction in 50.6%. The most common ophthalmological symptom among the study patients was proptosis in 56.6%. Nasal polyps was the most common Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases in 33.7%. The most common diagnostic and therapeutic requested investigations among the patients was 80.7% anthral endoscopy. The commonest pre hospital treatment received by the patients was 26.5% herbal consumption/ over the counter drugs. Major surgical treatment among the patients was 33.7% intranasal polypectomy.  Conclusion: Advanced and poorly managed otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases usually has ophthalmological symptoms. Otorhinolaryngologist and ophthalmologist must look beyond their specialty during patient management.

Keywords: Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Head Neck Symptoms