LANCET 1/8381 (1984) 835-837


Surgery for glue ear: A modern epidemic

Black N.

Department of Community Medicine, Oxfordshire Health Authority, Manor House, Oxford OX3 9DZ, UK

Abstract
Analysis of routine hospital statistics confirms anecdotal reports of an epidemic of surgery for glue ear. The surgical rate rose by 74% in Oxford Region between 1975 and 1981. The peak ages for surgery are 5-7 years and the rates are higher in boys than in girls (1.4:1.00). The relative risk is high in social class I (1.16) and low in social class V (0.61). Although the prevalence of glue ear is hard to ascertain, the current surgical epidemic probably reflects an increase in apparent prevalence rather than a real increase in morbidity.


 

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