Association Between Hearing Loss and Systemic Small-Vessel Vasculitis: Audiological Aspects Across Disease Types

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Otolaryngology
• Immunology

Background:

• Systemic small-vessel vasculitis (SV) encompasses rare autoimmune disorders with diverse presentations.
• Audiovestibular symptoms are common in SV, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
• Understanding hearing function in SV is critical for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess auditory function and speech perception in patients with SV.
• To explore correlations between hearing impairment and clinical parameters in SV.
• To identify the prevalence and types of hearing loss in SV patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 40 SV patients underwent comprehensive audiological evaluations.
• Methods included otoscopy, tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry, and speech audiometry.
• Statistical analysis was performed using R software (version 4.3.1).

Main Results:

• Sensorineural hearing loss was identified in 50% of SV patients, predominantly affecting ANCA-positive individuals.
• Hearing loss was most prevalent in necrotizing vasculopathy (60%).
• Hearing complaints were reported by 77.5% of patients, with 20% experiencing them as initial symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Sensorineural hearing loss is a significant complication of SV, particularly in ANCA-positive cases.
• Routine audiological screening is recommended for all SV patients.
• Early identification of hearing loss can improve patient outcomes and management strategies.