Description of Otolaryngology (OTO) Disease in Houseless Patients on O'ahu, Hawai'i.

Abstract

This retrospective study assesses the prevalence of otolaryngology (OTO) disease in houseless patients on O'ahu based on data from the Houseless Outreach and Medical Education (HOME) clinics, a medical student-run, primary health care service. It is important to note that this data represents only a snapshot in time of the OTO diseases present in this population. Records were examined from September 3, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Patients with at least 1 OTO disease were included in this study. A total of 597 patient records were reviewed; a total of 58 patients were included in this study. The most common OTO diagnoses in this sample were facial trauma (n = 12, 21%), dental caries (n = 7, 12%), cerumen impaction (n = 6, 10%), viral upper respiratory infection (n = 5, 9%), otitis media (n = 4, 7%), and allergic conjunctivitis (n = 3, 5%). Roughly 10% of patients seen in HOME clinics between September 2020 and September 2021 were seen for OTO disease.