The Value of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Predicting Hearing Recovery of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Choi, Yong Jun; Gong, Sung Ho; Choi, Se In; Yu, Gun Hee; Lim, Yun Sung; Park, Seok Won; Cho, Chang Gun; Park, Joo Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Several prognostic factors are known to be related to the recovery of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Recent studies have suggested that cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) are associated with the occurrence of SSNHL. However, the value of CVRFs as a predictor of recovery in patients with SSNHL has been rarely evaluated. We aim to evaluate the prognostic value of CVRFs in relation to hearing recovery of SSNHL.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A total of 278 patients who were diagnosed and treated for SSNHL and who underwent blood sampling and follow-ups for more than 3 months were reviewed retrospectively. We reviewed CVRFs such as age, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking history, the presence of diabetes mellitus and other related underlying diseases. Patients were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high CVRF groups) according to the CVRF grades. Hearing thresholds were repeatedly measured on the initial visit, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Treatment outcome was analyzed by comparing hearing recovery rate and post-treatment audiometric changes among the three CVRF groups.
RESULTS
Seventy (25.2%), 129 (46.4%) and 79 (28.4%) patients were included into the low, medium and high CVRF groups, respectively. The hearing threshold was significantly reduced at 3 months after treatment in all three groups (p<0.001). The hearing recovery rate of the low CVRF group was significantly higher than that of the medium and high CVRF group (p=0.011). On the last visit, the high CVRF group significantly showed more poor hearing improvement than the low CVRF group did (p=0.045).
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that the presence of CVRFs may be a poor prognostic sign for hearing recovery in patients with SSNHL.