[Analysis and comparison of the trends in burden of otitis media in China and worldwide from 1992 to 2021].

Objectives: To describe, analyze, and compare the temporal trends of age and sex-specific burden of Otitis media(OM) in China and globally from 1992 to 2021. Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease(GBD) database from 1992 to 2021 were used to analyze the characteristics of OM burden in China and globally, including changes in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs). Epidemiological characteristics of OM were analyzed using methods such as Joinpoint analysis, age-period-cohort models, and decomposition analysis. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average(ARIMA) models were used to forecast the incidence and prevalence rates over the next 15 years. Results: From 1992 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of OM in China decreased from 4 183.54/100, 000 to 4 179.92/100, 000, while, the global ASIR increased from 5 345.09/100, 000 to 5 529.1/100, 000. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) in China decreased from 1 835.2/100, 000 to 1 332.11/100, 000, while, the global ASPR decreased from 1 786.56/100, 000 to 1 593.74/100, 000. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) in China decreased from 0.01/100, 000 to 0, while, the global ASMR decreased from 0.03/100, 000 to 0.01/100, 000. The age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) in China decreased from 37.39/100, 000 to 26.53/100, 000, while, the global ASDR decreased from 37.68/100, 000 to 32.54/100, 000. The average annual percent change (AAPC) for ASIR, ASPR, ASMR, and ASDR in China were -0.003%, -1.101%, -9.803%, and -1.178%, respectively, while, globally the AAPC were 0.116%, -0.395%, -4.396%, and -0.506%, respectively. The impact of age and sex on the burden of OM varied. The incidence rate was highest in children, especially in the group under 5 years old, followed by the elderly. The incidence and mortality of OM were higher in females than in males. Decomposition analysis indicated that the main factor contributing to the decline in DALYs in China was epidemiological changes, while, the main factor contributing to the increase in global DALYs was population growth. Over the next 15 years, it might be predicted that the prevalence of OM will decrease in both China and globally, with a decrease in incidence in China and an increase in the global incidence. Conclusion: From 1992 to 2021, the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs of OM in China have generally shown a declining trend, indicating a gradual reduction in the disease burden of OM in China. The disease burden of OM is age-related, with the highest incidence and prevalence observed in children and a higher mortality rate in the elderly population. OM remains a significant public health challenge in China.