Frequency and Pattern of Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions Leading to Hospital Admissions: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders are a major yet unrecognized contributor to hospital admissions, particularly in places with limited resources and limited access to expert care. There is a dearth of local epidemiology data on ENT-related admissions in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the frequency, distribution, and clinical characteristics of ENT conditions leading to hospital admissions at DHQ Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients admitted to the ENT Department between 1 January 2025 and 1 January 2026. Data were extracted using a structured data extraction proforma and analyzed.

Results: The number of patients who came into the hospitals during the period of this research is 1,408, having a mean age of 26.8 ± 17.8 years. Patients originating from the rural areas are 57.5% of the total number of patients, while 61.1% (n=860) of all patients are males. Chronic tonsillitis is the most common disease that has been diagnosed, accounting for 28.2% of hospitalizations. Other diseases that follow include foreign body obstruction (20.9%), deviation nasal septum (18.4%, n=259), and trauma (13.2%, n=186).

Conclusion: Chronic tonsillitis (28.2%), foreign body obstruction (20.9%), and nasal septum deviation (18.4%) were the results of this study. Males made up most patients (61.1%), while the majority had rural backgrounds (57.5%).