Audiological Profile in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Setting and its Clinical Implications

This study aims to assess the frequency and the profile of hearing loss among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome in a tertiary care hospital in India and to look for an association between hearing loss and immunological parameters (anti-SSA antibody, anti-SSB antibody, anticardiolipin antibodies, complements C3 and C4). This prospective observational study was done from January 2011 to October 2011 on consecutive patients diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome in our tertiary care hospital. All patients underwent a puretone audiogram, tympanogram and acoustic reflex testing. The results of the tests were correlated with clinical and immunological findings. The frequency of audiometrically confirmed hearing loss in primary Sjögren's syndrome was estimated to be 78.38 %, though only 17.24 % complained of hearing loss; minimal to mild sensorineural hearing loss were the most common varieties. The commonest finding on tympanometry was 'A' type curve and acoustic reflex was absent in 18.92 % of cases. There was no association between hearing loss and age, sicca symptoms, systemic symptoms or immunological test results in primary Sjögren's syndrome. There was a high prevalence of hearing loss among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, but most patients were unaware of this. Hearing assessment and regular monitoring of hearing thresholds is advisable for all patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.