After adjustment for confounding factors, including hypertension,hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, rhinosinusitis, AR, ATH, GERD, and the number of ENT clinic visits, the risk of developing ETD is higher among patients with SDB. The treatment, that is, pharyngeal or nasal surgery, CPAP, or multiple modalities (both surgery and CPAP) for SDB might reduce the risk of ETD. Further investigation is necessary to assess the clinical relevance
of the severity of SDB with respect to the development of ETD and to quantify the alteration of middle-ear pressure after SDB treatment. It is also necessary to determine the most effective intervention strategies for managing both diseases simultaneously.
Multidisciplinary evaluation, including ETD, should be conducted in the management of patients presenting with SDB. Early detection and prompt intervention for SDB
might reduce the risk of developing ETD and help to prevent further middle-ear injury.
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