Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences (Mar 2024)

Characteristics 0f Tinnitus and its Association with Clinico-demograhic Factors & Mental Health.

  • Maria Murtaza,
  • Ghulam Saqulain,
  • Rafaqat Ali Rao

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1

Abstract

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Objectives: To determine the characteristics of tinnitus and its association with clinical and demographic variables including psychological health. Methodology: This cross-sectional study recruited N=80 tinnitus cases from ENT outpatients of District Head Quarter Hospital Chakwal from over a period of 6 months from 1st Jan 2019 to 31st June, 2019, using convenience sampling. Sample included both genders, aged 18-75 years with tinnitus for at least three months. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) & Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) were utilized for data collection & analysis done using SPSS-version 20. Anova statistics & Pearsons correlation was determined for THI and DASS-21. Chi-square was used to see any association with clinic-demographic variables. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Study revealed 30(37.5%) cases with mild, 20(25%) each with moderate and severe while least 4(5%) catastrophic tinnitus. Tinnitus severity was significant associated with gender (p=0.005), age (p=0.035), educational level (p=0.049), occupation (p=0.002), duration of tinnitus (p=0.038), site of tinnitus (P<0.001) and type of tinnitus sound (P=0.003). Duration of tinnitus was associated with anxiety (p=0.024), site of tinnitus was associated with THI (p=0.016), anxiety (p=0.021), stress (p<0.001) and depression (p=0.02) and total DASS-21 (p=0.005). A significant positive correlation was present between tinnitus handicap, Anxiety, stress, depression and DASS-21 total score (P<0.001). Conclusion: Mild tinnitus was most prevalent (37.5%) with Tinnitus severity having significant association with gender, age, educational level, occupation, duration of tinnitus, site of tinnitus, and type of tinnitus sound. Duration of tinnitus was also associated with anxiety while site of tinnitus has association with THI, anxiety, stress, depression and total DASS-21. Significant positive correlation is present between THI and Anxiety, stress, depression and DASS-21 total score.

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