Association between tinnitus and mental health among Korean adolescents: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiology of tinnitus is not clearly understood, but its prevalence is relatively high. Persistent symptoms of tinnitus are linked to various mental health conditions, and in particular, tinnitus prevalence is high in Korean adolescents. Accordingly, this study aimed to reveal the associations between tinnitus and mental health in Korean adolescents using a nationally representative sample.

METHODS: Original data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The sample consisted of 1,587 adolescents aged 12-18. We examined demographic variables; tinnitus measured by health examination; and stress, depression, and suicidal ideation measured by health interview.

RESULTS: The prevalence of tinnitus was 18.0%. Tinnitus severity was directly related to level of stress (p=0.023), depression (p<0.001), and suicidal ideation (p<0.001). In comparison with Korean adolescents without tinnitus, the odds ratio (OR) of having depression and suicidal ideation was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.47-3.50) and 1.96 (95% CI: 1.35-2.84), respectively, in univariable analysis. The OR of having depression and suicidal ideation in multivariate analysis was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.28-3.13) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.13-2.62), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus prevalence in Korean adolescents is relatively high, and thus, intervention may be necessary to prevent or reduce depression and suicidal ideation to ensure that other areas of life are not negatively affected. Further, individuals with tinnitus may be in need of intervention to prevent or reduce depression and suicidal ideation.