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Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Use of methotrexate for autoimmune hearing loss
E L Matteson1, O Tirzaman, G W Facer
1Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|August 29, 2000
Summary
Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) effectively treated autoimmune hearing loss in 82% of patients refractory to other therapies. This long-term treatment showed good tolerance and improved hearing and vertigo symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Autoimmune hearing loss is a challenging condition often refractory to conventional treatments.
- Episodic hearing worsening and vertigo are common symptoms in treatment-resistant autoimmune hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of low-dose methotrexate (MTX) for autoimmune hearing loss.
- To assess the impact of MTX on hearing thresholds, speech discrimination, and vestibular symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Prospective open-label study involving 11 patients with treatment-refractory autoimmune hearing loss.
- Patients received low-dose methotrexate (7.5-17.5 mg/wk) long-term.
- Hearing (pure tone threshold average, speech discrimination) and vertigo were assessed at baseline and study completion.
Main Results:
- Hearing improved in 9 out of 11 patients (82%) based on predefined criteria.
- Vertigo improved or resolved in 4 out of 6 patients with Meniere's disease.
- Disequilibrium improved in all 3 patients diagnosed with Cogan's syndrome; MTX was well tolerated.
Conclusions:
- Long-term, low-dose methotrexate therapy is a potentially effective treatment for autoimmune hearing loss refractory to traditional therapies.
- MTX demonstrates a favorable safety profile and can improve audiological and vestibular symptoms.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger patient cohorts.
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