Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2008 May;51(5):416-421.

Otologic Manifestations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Kim BY
• Kang MK
• Ahn TJ
• Lee TH
• Choi JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is considered a prototype of the autoimmune disease because of its multi-organ involvement. Pathologic immune complexes and autoantibodies are the main causes of organ damage. Patients with SLE appear to be at increased risk of inner ear injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the audiovestibular manifestations in patients with SLE.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We investigated the audiovestibular manifestations of 22 patients with SLE. Pure tone audiometry and electronystagmography were performed for baseline evaluation. ESR, complement count and dsDNA were evaluated to investigate relationships between audiovestibular manifestations and disease activity of SLE.
RESULTS
Ten (45.5%) patients complained of hearing loss. Four of 10 patients were diagnosed as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and 3 patients as sudden SNHL. 9 (40.9%) patients complained of vertigo. Five of 9 patients were diagnosed as peripheral vestibulopathy, 2 as central vestibulopathy and 2 showed nonspecific findings. Audiovestibular symptoms were not related with disease activity of SLE (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Audiovestibular symptoms are rare but various among patients with SLE. The mechanism of ear damage remains unknown. Thus, additional prospective studies are needed to elucidate its pathogenesis.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Hearing loss; Vertigo

MeSH Terms

Antigen-Antibody Complex
Audiometry
Autoantibodies
Autoimmune Diseases
Complement System Proteins
Ear
Ear, Inner
Electronystagmography
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Vertigo
Antigen-Antibody Complex
Autoantibodies
Complement System Proteins