[Audio-vestibular changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

A functional audio-vestibular investigation based on impedance metric techniques and electronystagmography was carried out in a group of patients with "classical" rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and with treated or untreated "definite" RA in various stages. Data obtained from these patients were compared with those obtained from a control group. Significant hypoacusis of the transmissive type was found in initial stages of RA while sensorineural or mixed type hypoacusis was found in later stages of RA. Significant vestibular alterations of the central type suggesting supratentorial involvement were found in several cases independently of the stage of RA and of the age of the patients.