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Hearing organ disorders in patients with systemic sclerosis
Katarzyna Maciaszczyk1, Elżbieta Waszczykowska, Anna Pajor
1Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Lodz, 22, Kopcinskiego St., 90-153 Lodz, Poland. k.maciaszczyk@op.pl
Rheumatology International
|May 13, 2010
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) frequently causes hearing loss and tinnitus due to inner ear inflammation. This study found SSc patients have poorer hearing thresholds, highlighting the need for audiological assessment in SSc management.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) can lead to inner ear dysfunction via immune-mediated vasculitis and fibrosis.
- Hearing and balance disorders are potential complications in SSc patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate hearing organ function in SSc patients.
- To correlate hearing function with disease duration, Raynaud phenomenon, and SSc type/severity.
Main Methods:
- Twenty SSc patients and 26 healthy controls underwent otolaryngological examination and audiological tests.
- Tests included pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, impedance audiometry, and auditory brainstem response (ABR).
Main Results:
- SSc patients exhibited significantly poorer mean hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 6, and 8 kHz compared to controls.
- 40% of SSc patients presented with sensorineural hearing loss, often bilateral and symmetrical.
- No significant correlation was found between hearing levels and disease duration, type, or severity.
Conclusions:
- Ear involvement, including sensorineural hearing loss, is common in systemic sclerosis.
- Audiological evaluation should be considered in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of SSc patients.
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