Otologic Disorders, Mucociliary Transport Time and Nasal Cytology in a Group of Residents at High Altitude in Leh (India)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the upper airway conditions in residents of high altitude (HA) in Leh, Ladakh, India. We recruited patients from the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Division of the Sonam Nurboo Memorial Hospital. Each subject underwent comprehensive ENT assessments, including otologic examination via otoscopy, pure-tone audi ometry, tympanometry, anterior rhinoscopy, and mucociliary transport time (MTT) assessment using the saccharin test. Nasal cytology was also performed to identify inflammatory cells in nasal secretions. Among 40 subjects, 26 (65.0%) were diagnosed with chronic otitis media (COM), characterized by tympanic membrane perforations, while 14 (35.0%) had intact membranes. Only 5 of those with COM (19.2%) exhibited otorrhea. Hearing loss was detected in all patients, with 29 (72.5%) experiencing conductive hearing loss (CHL), 2 (5%) mixed hearing loss (MHL), and 9 (22.5%) sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The mean MTT was 10.8 ± 3.6 min, consistent with normal values, and there was no significant dif ference in MTT between patients with COM and those with intact membranes (11.08 ± 4.02 vs. 10.28 ± 2.6 min, p = 0.51). Notably, more subjects with COM exhibited inflammatory cells in nasal cytology compared to those without (76.9% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.01). This study highlights the importance of ENT evaluations in patients residing at HA and underscores the potential impact of altitude on the ear and upper airway functions.