The Global Burden of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Older Patients: Pathophysiology, Clinical Consequences, Diagnostic Challenges and Therapeutic Perspectives-A SANRA-Based Study

: To critically summarize current evidence regarding the burden of Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in older adults, focusing on age-related pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, therapeutic strategies and its interaction with major geriatric clinical implications. Methods : This narrative review was conducted according to the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA)....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No immediate practice change; this narrative review synthesizes existing knowledge on ETD in older adults and highlights diagnostic gaps but does not introduce new evidence or updated guidelines.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Eustachian tube dysfunction is underrecognized in aging populations, and this review spotlights the diagnostic and therapeutic gaps that directly affect audiological management of older patients.

✦ Key Points ✦

01SANRA-based narrative review synthesizes global evidence on Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in older adults.
02Age-related anatomical and mucosal changes contribute to higher ETD prevalence and severity in elderly patients.
03Diagnostic challenges include overlapping symptoms with other middle-ear and nasopharyngeal conditions.
04Therapeutic options reviewed include medical, surgical, and balloon Eustachian tuboplasty approaches.
05Authors emphasize the need for age-specific diagnostic criteria and management protocols.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Eustachian tube dysfunction places a significant global burden on older adult populations.

studypartially supported

Age-related pathophysiological changes worsen Eustachian tube dysfunction in elderly patients.

studysupported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42793541
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14183001.
Journal: Healthcare
Publication type: review
Evidence level: 5
Population: Older adults with Eustachian tube dysfunction (literature-based, no direct patient cohort enrolled)
Intervention: Narrative review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Eustachian tube dysfunction

Primary outcomes

Global burden and prevalence of ETD in older adults; Diagnostic accuracy of available assessment tools; Therapeutic outcomes across medical and surgical options

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