Hearing loss in Takayasu's arteritis.

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Rheumatology
• Audiology

Background:

• Neurosensory hearing loss is common in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• Data on hearing impairment in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is limited.
• This study compares auditory function in TAK patients, SLE patients, and healthy controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and characteristics of hearing loss in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK).
• To compare auditory function in TAK patients versus SLE patients and healthy controls (HC).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 104 TAK patients, 151 SLE patients, and 174 HC.
• Phase 1: Questionnaire on Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) symptoms.
• Phase 2: Audiometric testing for a subset of patients and controls (TAK: n=53, SLE: n=33, HC: n=45).

Main Results:

• TAK and SLE patients reported higher rates of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo than HC.
• Audiometry showed increased hearing loss in TAK (30.2%) and SLE (18.2%) compared to HC (8.9%).
• TAK patients had a significantly increased risk of hearing loss (OR=3.915, p=0.026), primarily neurosensory, affecting both low and high frequencies.

Conclusions:

• Takayasu's arteritis is associated with a higher prevalence of hearing loss.
• Further research is needed to determine the specific causes of hearing impairment in TAK.
• Hearing loss in TAK patients affects a broader range of frequencies compared to SLE patients.