NGHIÊN CỨU ĐẶC ĐIỂM LÂM SÀNG, CÁC YẾU TỐ NGUY CƠ CỦA BỆNH LÝ VIÊM TAI NGOÀI CẤP TÍNH Ở BỆNH NHÂN ĐẾN KHÁM VÀ ĐIỀU TRỊ TẠI PHÒNG KHÁM TAI MŨI HỌNG BỆNH VIỆN TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC Y DƯỢC CẦN THƠ NĂM 2023 - 2025

Abstract

Background: Acute otitis externa is an inflammatory condition affecting the external auditory canal. The disease usually has a rapid onset and is primarily caused by bacterial infection. Acute otitis externa can occur at any age, and it is estimated that about 10% of the population will experience it at least once in their lifetime. Objective: The study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and identify risk factors associated with acute otitis externa among patients who visited and were treated at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of Can Tho University of Medicine and 

Pharmacy Hospital from 2023 to 2025. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 95 patients who attended the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital between 2023 and 2025. Results: The majority of participants were aged 18–30 years (38.9%). Females accounted for a higher proportion than males (60% vs. 40%). Most patients lived in urban areas (77.9%). The occupational distribution was relatively balanced, with the highest proportions being students (27.4%) and office workers (26.3%). The most common reason for consultation was ear pain (49.5%). A large proportion of patients reported the habit of earwax removal (62.1%) and ear cleaning using hard objects, especially cotton swabs (75.8%). Conclusion: The most frequent symptom was ear pain (49.5%). Common risk factors included cleaning the ears with cotton swabs, sharp objects, or fingers (75.8%); swimming or water exposure in the ear canal (63.1%); and frequent earwax removal (62.1%).