[Otorhinolaryngologic diseases in general practice].

During a period of one year, the contact pattern during day working hours in general practice where diseases of the ear, nose and throat were concerned was registered as part of an investigation of disease pattern in the County of Arhus. Registration included the form of encounter, reason for encounter, diagnosis and possible referrals. It was demonstrated that 8.6% of all disease and symptom-induced encounters in general practice were concerned with ear, nose and throat disease. Complaints from the throat were the commonest. Coryza and tonsillitis comprised nearly half of all the diseases. The commonest diseases of the ear were acute otitis media and wax in the ear. Among upper respiratory diseases, acute infective conditions dominated. As compared with the usual age-distribution in general practice, coryza, tonsillitis, acute and secretory otitis media and chronic allergic rhinitis were considerably overrepresented in children. Examination in consulting room was the commonest form of encounter. The majority of the patients were considered by the general practitioners to be completely treated after one consultation.