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In Vivo Morphometric Analysis of Human Cranial Nerves Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Menière's Disease Ears and Normal Hearing Ears
10:27

In Vivo Morphometric Analysis of Human Cranial Nerves Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Menière's Disease Ears and Normal Hearing Ears

Published on: February 21, 2018

High prevalence of systemic autoimmune diseases in patients with Menière's disease

Irene Gazquez1, Andres Soto-Varela, Ismael Aran

  • 1Genyo, Centro de Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Pfizer/Universidad de Granada/Junta de Andalucia, Granada, Spain.

Plos One
|November 5, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Meniere

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Meniere's disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder linked to autoimmunity.
  • Prevalence of autoimmune diseases (AD) in MD patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of AD in Meniere's disease patients with SNHL.
  • To explore the association between MD, AD, and clinical characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Prevalence of AD (RA, SLE, AS) assessed in 690 MD outpatients using clinical criteria and immune panels.
  • Immune markers included lymphocyte populations, antinuclear antibodies, C3, C4, and cytokines (TNFα, INFγ).
  • Statistical analysis compared AD prevalence and immune profiles, and explored associations with clinical features.

Main Results:

  • Elevated prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) observed in MD patients compared to the general population.
  • Systemic AD were more common in MD patients with migraine criteria than tension-type headache.
  • Immune profile showed no differences between uni- or bilateral SNHL, but lymphocyte changes correlated with hearing loss and vertigo.

Conclusions:

  • Meniere's disease exhibits a higher prevalence of systemic autoimmune diseases (RA, SLE, AS).
  • Findings suggest an autoimmune basis in a subset of MD patients, impacting treatment strategies.
  • Immune response plays a role in the pathophysiology of Meniere's disease.

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