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Normal brainstem auditory evoked potentials in adult hypothyroidism.
M Vanasse1, C Fischer, F Berthezène
1Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie sensorielle appliquée, Hôpital Neurologique, Lyon, France.
The Laryngoscope
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) did not show significant differences in adult hypothyroid patients compared to controls. Treatment did not alter BAEP, questioning its use for evaluating central nervous system effects or monitoring hypothyroidism treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Audiology
Background:
- Hypothyroidism can cause nervous system dysfunction and hearing loss.
- Evoked potentials, like visual evoked potential (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), may detect central nervous system abnormalities in hypothyroidism.
- Previous studies suggested VEP and BAEP could monitor hypothyroidism's impact and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in evaluating central nervous system involvement in adult hypothyroidism.
- To assess if BAEP can monitor the response to hypothyroidism treatment.
Main Methods:
- BAEP were recorded in 15 adult hypothyroid women before treatment.
- Audiometric studies were conducted in 14 patients.
- BAEP and audiometry were repeated in 5 patients after 20-22 months of treatment.
- Results were compared to sex-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Audiometry indicated hearing loss correlated with age, suggesting aging as a primary factor rather than hypothyroidism.
- No statistically significant differences in BAEP were found between hypothyroid patients and controls before treatment.
- BAEP values remained unchanged in the five patients after treatment.
Conclusions:
- The study found no significant BAEP abnormalities in adult hypothyroid patients.
- Treatment for hypothyroidism did not alter BAEP findings.
- These results challenge the clinical application of BAEP for central nervous system evaluation and treatment monitoring in adult hypothyroidism.