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Predictive Validity of Hypothesized Risk Factors for Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
Ryan A Bartholomew1,2, Brigette L Wang1, Obinna I Nwosu1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) predicts superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS), while a higher BMI is protective. This finding suggests OSA may influence the relationship between BMI and SCDS.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Genetics
Background:
- Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is a condition affecting the inner ear.
- The relationship between SCDS and various comorbid conditions is not fully understood.
- Identifying risk factors for SCDS is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive validity of several hypothesized risk factors for SCDS.
- To assess the association between SCDS and conditions such as bone density disorders, vitamin D deficiency, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), idiopathic intracranial hypertension, head trauma, and BMI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study conducted in a metropolitan health care system.
- Included 152 adult patients with SCDS and 438 matched controls (2016-2021).
- Multivariate logistic regression analyzed the association between SCDS and comorbid diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was a significant positive predictor of SCDS (OR=2.29).
- Body Mass Index (BMI) >25 was a significant negative predictor of SCDS (OR=0.51).
- Other evaluated conditions did not show statistically significant associations with SCDS.
Conclusions:
- OSA is a significant positive predictor of SCDS.
- Elevated BMI is a negative predictor of SCDS.
- Comorbid OSA may confound previously reported links between elevated BMI and SCDS.
