A 4-11 Billion Dollar Impact of CSOM in the US Every Year

Researchers, led by medical student Anthony Thai published part of his medical scholars’ work this week highlighting the impact of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) on the US health care system. The third world impact is well known, but until now we did not know the US burden. Patients in the US can expect around 10 visits to the ENT, several prescriptions, around 2 surgeries, and 50% relapse in 4 months (on medical therapy) or 5 years (with surgical therapy).  The total costs per year add up to at least 4 billion dollars.