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Middle ear function in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis
A Siamopoulou-Mavridou1, D Asimakopoulos, A Mavridis
1Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Greece.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Juvenile chronic arthritis can impair middle ear function, leading to stiffness in the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain. This study investigated hearing in affected children using tympanometry.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rheumatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting children.
- Middle ear involvement in JCA is not well-documented.
- Understanding JCA's impact on hearing is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the conductive hearing function in patients with JCA.
- To assess middle ear status using tympanometry in this population.
- To identify potential correlations between JCA severity and middle ear abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Conducted tympanometry on 18 patients diagnosed with JCA.
- Assessed the functional state of the tympanic membrane, ossicular chain, and tympanic cavity.
- Analyzed acoustic reflex and tympanometric patterns (e.g., type As).
Main Results:
- Acoustic reflexes were present in all 18 patients.
- Ten patients (mostly with severe JCA) exhibited abnormal tympanometric patterns (type As), bilaterally or unilaterally.
- Type As patterns suggest stiffness of the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain.
Conclusions:
- Juvenile chronic arthritis significantly alters middle ear function.
- Inflammation of synovial ossicular joints likely causes tympanic membrane and ossicular chain stiffness.
- Tympanometry is a valuable tool for detecting middle ear dysfunction in JCA patients.