[Epidemiological aspects of otosclerosis (1). Its frequency in comparison with other ear pathologies, incidence and prevalence].

A planned study was made with the group of patients seen for first time at Otologic External Consulting Department of ENT Service of the universitary Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela. The total amount 1,050 patients, 83 of them suffering otosclerosis. Most frequently diagnosed was sensorineural deafness (29.1%), in second place were chronic middle otitis (27.8%) and as last one was otosclerosis (8.7%). Clinic otosclerosis amounted for 19.20 cases of each 100,000 inhabitants yearly and stapedectomies performed 7.78. Prevalence was evaluated at 7.13 by 1,000 (10.86 women and 3.14 men). Higher value compared with other series published previously are linked to differences on sanitary development as well as health concept and the type of community where people lived through.