The prevalence of preauricular sinus and associated factors in a nationwide population-based survey of South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of preauricular sinus (PAS) using data from a government-centered survey in South Korea and to reveal the relationship between the occurrence of PAS and associated factors.

PATIENTS: Data obtained during July 2008 to December 2012 were analyzed. Annually, 10,000 to 12,000 individuals are selected from a panel to represent the population using a multistage clustered and stratified random sampling method based on the National Census Data. A total of 56,592 individuals participated in the survey (25,586 male and 31,006 female).

INTERVENTION: After completion of the otolaryngologic questionnaires, the auricle was examined to check for malformation and PAS in those older than 1 year. Next, an otolaryngologist conducted a physical examination of the head and neck using videoassisted endoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Physical examination.

RESULTS: One thousand one hundred thirty-two individuals had PAS representing the overall prevalence of 1.91% in South Korea, with 79.08% of cases occurring unilaterally. Female participants had a significantly higher prevalence than male (p < 0.001), and a significant decrease with age was observed in both male and female populations (p < 0.001). A higher proportion of PAS was found in individuals with external ear anomaly (p < 0.001) and not associated with abnormal otoendoscopic findings such as tympanic membrane perforation, cholesteatomatous condition including retraction pocket, and middle ear effusion.

CONCLUSION: A large-scale government-centered survey demonstrates a high prevalence, female dominance, and age-related decrease of PAS in South Korea.