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Hearing loss in the Sjögren syndrome
B Tumiati1, P Casoli, A Parmeggiani
1Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|March 15, 1997
Summary
Patients with Sjögren syndrome have a significantly higher incidence of hearing loss. Anticardiolipin antibodies may play a role in Sjögren syndrome-related hearing loss, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ear involvement is common in autoimmune diseases, but data on Sjögren syndrome are limited.
- Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting exocrine glands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of hearing loss in Sjögren syndrome patients.
- To explore potential pathogenic factors, such as anticardiolipin antibodies, in SS-related hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 30 women with Sjögren syndrome and 40 age-matched controls.
- Audiometric evaluation included pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and stapedial reflex testing.
- Data on vasculitis, Raynaud phenomenon, nervous system involvement, and anticardiolipin antibodies were collected.
Main Results:
- 46% of Sjögren syndrome patients exhibited sensorineural hearing loss, compared to 2.5% of controls (P < 0.001).
- Sensorineural hearing loss was significantly associated with the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies in Sjögren syndrome patients (64% vs 18%, P = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of hearing loss in Sjögren syndrome underscores the importance of audiometric screening.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the link between sensorineural hearing loss and anticardiolipin antibodies in Sjögren syndrome.
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