Learning Objectives: 1. To investigate the prevalence of CSOM (Tympanic membrane perforation, Retraction pocket, and cholesteatoma) in South Korea 2. To investigate factors associated with CSOM.

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common infectious condition that can cause hearing loss and persistent otorrhea. The prevalence rates of CSOM in developed countries is typically <1%, while developing countries or some racial groups showed higher prevalence rates exceeding 4%.

The Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES), which is a cross-sectional analysis of a nationwide health survey. In the survey, physical examination, interview and laboratory test were performed by the field survey team including an otolaryngologist. Data obtained in 2009–2012 were included in this analysis.

Among the population over 4-years-of-age (n = 25,147), the prevalence of CSOM was 3.13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.07–3.92). Specifically, the prevalence of tympanic membrane perforation, retraction pocket and obvious cholesteatoma was 1.78 % (95% CI, 1.51–2.00), 1.21% (95% CI, 1.02–1.40) and 0.34% (95% CI, 0.24–0.44), respectively. The prevalence of CSOM increased with age (P < .001) and had a female predominance (P = .014). In a multivariable analysis of associated factors in 14,396 participants over 19-years-of-age, hearing threshold, the presence of tinnitus, diabetes, drinking alcohol, residence in a row house and education level of the mother were significantly associated with CSOM (P < .05).

Understanding of epidemiologic data and associated factors might contribute to the better management of CSOM and reducing the social burden.