Lifetime prevalence of exostosesin New Zealand surfers
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Supplementary material
Other Title
Authors
Simas, V.
Remnant, Debbie
Furness, J.
Bacon, Catherine
Moran, Robert
Hing, W.A.
Climstein, M.
Remnant, Debbie
Furness, J.
Bacon, Catherine
Moran, Robert
Hing, W.A.
Climstein, M.
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2019-04-03
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
surfing
surfer's ear
auditory exostoses
otology
preventive medicine
surfing
surfer's ear
auditory exostoses
otology
preventive medicine
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Simas, V., Remnant, D., Furness, J., Bacon, C.J., Moran, R.W., Hing, W.A., & Climstein, M. (2019). Lifetime prevalence of exostoses in New Zealand surfers. Journal of Primary Health Care, 11 (1), 47-53. doi:doi:10.1071/HC18097
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
External auditory exostosis (EAE) is a benign, irreversible bony outgrowth that arises from the temporal bone. EAE projects into the external ear canal, potentially causing recurrent otitis externa and conductive hearing loss.
AIM:
To determine lifetime prevalence of EAE in New Zealand (NZ) surfers.
METHODS:
This study used an online national survey.
RESULTS:
Respondents were 1376 NZ surfers (recreational = 868, competitive = 508). Mean surfing experience was 16.2 years. Most self-classified as advanced surfers (36.5%), followed by intermediate (30.2%), expert (20.1%) and beginner (13.2%). Surfers reported an average of 214.2 h surfing (28.6% during winter) for the previous year. Overall lifetime prevalence of EAE was 28.9% (32.1% male, 14.6% female P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of EAE was observed bilaterally (21.3%). Competitive surfers reported a significantly (P < 0.001) higher lifetime prevalence of EAE than recreational surfers (45.3% vs. 19.2%). A significantly higher (P < 0.001) lifetime prevalence of EAE was identified as skill level increased (7.1% in beginners to 55.6% in experts) and a two-fold increase (P < 0.001) of EAE in the highest (vs. lowest) quartile of surfing exposure. Neither winter surfing exposure nor which Island surfed were associated with EAE prevalence.
DISCUSSION:
Although not as prevalent as in previous NZ research using otologic examinations, this study indicated that almost one-third of NZ surfers reported having had a diagnosis of EAE. Regular general practitioner otologic assessment and advice on appropriate prevention strategies for patients who surf may help prevent large lesions, recurrent ear infections
and progressive hearing loss.
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN:
External auditory exostosis (EAE) is a reactive process that has been documented in surfers in Australia, Japan, Ireland, USA and the UK who were repeatedly exposed to water temperatures below 19°C. New Zealand (NZ) water temperatures range from 9.5°C to 21°C depending on latitude and season. Therefore, NZ surfers are likely to be susceptible to EAE.
WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:
This research identified a 29% lifetime prevalence of EAE in NZ recreational and competitive surfers, highlighting the importance of regular otologic screening by general practitioners of patients who surf to identify EAE in the early stages and promote preventive care measures.
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
Permanent link
Link to ePress publication
DOI
doi:10.1071/HC18097
Copyright holder
© Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2019
Copyright notice
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.