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Published on: January 25, 2016
Sensorineural hearing loss with macrolide antibiotics exposure: a meta-analysis of the association
Yazed Saleh Alsowaida1,2,3, Abdulaziz Saleh Almulhim1,4, Mok Oh1
1Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomic Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Objective:
Macrolide antibiotics are among the most commonly used antibiotics; the association of macrolide antibiotics exposure with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been hypothesized. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library from inception to 15 July 2019 to identify studies used macrolide antibiotics for any indication. The results were reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects model to derive the association of macrolide antibiotics exposure with SNHL. The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the association of macrolide antibiotics exposure and SNHL from up-to-date evidence.
Key Findings:
Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant association between macrolide antibiotics exposure and SNHL; the OR was 1.20 (95% CI: 0.96 to 1.49). No significant association was found with any of the subgroup meta-analyses.
Summary:
Whilst the frequency of SNHL was higher with macrolide antibiotics exposure compared with controls, overall, no association was found between macrolide antibiotics and SNHL.
Insights
This meta-analysis found no statistically significant link between macrolide antibiotics and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). While SNHL frequency was higher with macrolide use, the overall evidence does not support an association.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Otolaryngology
- Evidence-based Medicine
Background:
- Macrolide antibiotics are widely prescribed globally.
- A potential association between macrolide antibiotic use and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been suggested.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for patient safety and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic meta-analysis evaluating the association between macrolide antibiotic exposure and SNHL.
- To synthesize current evidence to determine if macrolide use increases the risk of SNHL.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library up to July 15, 2019.
- Inclusion of studies investigating macrolide antibiotic use for any indication.
- Meta-analysis using random-effects model to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Main Results:
- Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis.
- The overall analysis showed no statistically significant association between macrolide antibiotic exposure and SNHL (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.49).
- Subgroup analyses also failed to reveal any significant associations.
Conclusions:
- Despite a higher observed frequency of SNHL in patients exposed to macrolide antibiotics, the meta-analysis did not find a statistically significant association.
- The current evidence does not support a causal link between macrolide antibiotics and sensorineural hearing loss.
