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The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Total Score: What Really Counts? Experience on a Sample of 1156 Patients
Roberto Teggi1, Iacopo Cangiano1, Marco Familiari2
1ENT Division, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy.
Background:
Tinnitus is a frequent symptom, and is present in 10-15% of people who suffer from chronic tinnitus, defined as heard every day for at least 6 months. Among these, 1-2% develop a strong emotive reaction, anxiety, and depression, leading to poor quality of life.
Objectives:
to evaluate the comorbidities in tinnitus sufferers.
Methods:
In our retrospective study, we collected data on 1156 subjects with tinnitus present for at least 3 months, including age, audiometric exam, THI questionnaire, vascular disorders, fluctuations, causal factors, lifetime psychiatric disorders, and the presence of migraine. A linear regression model was used to assess the independent role of these variables on the THI total score representing tinnitus annoyance. A lifetime history of psychiatric disorders and migraine were predictive for the development of a disabling tinnitus.
Results:
Among comorbidities a history of previous psychiatric disorders was predictive for developing tinnitus. Moreover, no correlation has been found between hearing level and THI total score.
Conclusions:
Our data are not inconsistent with the hypothesis that psychological disorders and a particular personality trait may be the main causal factors for tinnitus annoyance.
