Key points:
- Although the association between necrotizing otitis externa (NOE) and
diabetes mellitus (DM) is well known, there is little knowledge in
regards to the effects of DM and glycemic control on the outcome of
NOE.
- The aim of the study was to determine the effects of DM duration and
preadmission glycemic control, and in-hospital glycemic control on NOE
severity. Disease severity was defined based on duration of
hospitalization (above or below 20 days) and need for surgery.
- Eighty nine patients were included in the study. DM duration was
157.88 months among NOE patients who required surgery, and 127.6
months among patients who were treated conservatively (p-value 0.25).
HbA1c in patients hospitalized < 20 days was 7.6%, and
8.7% among NOE hospitalized ≥ 20 days (p-value 0.027).
- Seven patients with mean blood glucose of ≤140mg\dL had
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa-NOE (26.7%), in comparison to 25 patients
(51.0%) with mean blood glucose measurement of
≥140mg\dL (p=0.045).
- HbA1c levels at admission are associated with longer hospitalization
duration among NOE patients. High mean blood glucose during
hospitalization was associated with a higher likelihood for a PA
infection, however it had no effect on disease outcome.
Key words: Malignant, Otitis externa, Diabetes Mellitus,
Necrosis, Neuropathy.