Otolaryngology outpatient pathology at Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile in 2008: Report of 9.157 patients

Abstract

Introduction: In primary care the consultations about nouse, ear and pharynx’s pathology are very frequent, representing the 40% of the total. Aim: Describe the outpatient pathology seen at the polyclinic of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile in 2008. Material and method: Retrospective, descriptive study of the Otolaryngology polyclinic consultations during the 2008 s year Demographic datas, diagnosis and distribution by localization were analyzed. Results: 9.157 patients were analized, with a mean age of 34,9 years. 55% was female, and the 62% of the total was in the group between 15 and 64 years. There was a increase of consultations in spring and summer. The 38% was otologic pathology, 27% sinonasal and 10% pharyngeal. It predominated the hearing loss (10%), allergic rhinitis (10%), adenotonsillar pathology (7%), the chronic ear’s disease (6%) and rhinosinusitis (5%). Discussion: The diagnoses and their frequencies founded in our center are consistent with international literature. Conclusions: The knowledgeaboutthe most common diseasesandage distribution allows to organize moreeffectivelythe attentionsandresourcesof our service.