A Prognostic Marker in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Serum Calprotectin

Abstract

Objectives. Calprotectin, a protein released by neutrophils, has been used in many studies as a biomarker showing the presence of inflammation. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between serum calprotectin level and response to the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL).Methods. The present study is a prospective, cross-sectional historical cohort study. The study group consisted of 44 patients with ISSHL, and the control group consisted of 41 healthy volunteers without ear pathology. At the same time, patients in the study group were divided into three groups according to the response to ISSHL treatment (recovered, partially recovered, unrecovered). The relationship between the groups was statistically evaluated in terms of serum calprotectin levels.Results. The mean serum calprotectin value was 75.67±19.48 ng/mL in the study group and 50.24±29.14 ng/mL in the control group (<i>P</i>=0.001). Serum calprotectin value according to the severity of hearing loss in the mild, moderate and severe was 66.20±8.82, 70.35±16.77, and 91.23±19.73 ng/mL, respectively. Serum calprotectin value in the severe group was significantly higher compared to the moderate and mild groups (<i>P</i>=0.004, <i>P</i>=0.001, respectively). Serum calprotectin value according to the treatment response in the recovered, partially recovered and unrecovered groups was 63.36±11.54, 80.17±12.06, and 85.33±22.33 ng/mL, respectively. Serum calprotectin value in the recovered group was significantly lower compared to the partially recovered and unrecovered groups (<i>P</i>=0.002, <i>P</i>=0.001, respectively).Conclusion. Serum calprotectin value informs the clinician about both the severity of hearing loss and the response to treatment. Hence, serum calprotectin can be used as an important biomarker in ISSHL patients for the determination of the prognosis of disease.

A proinflammatory marker in chronic rhinosinusitis: serum calprotectin

“…The serum calprotectin levels of patients with ISSHL were found to be higher than healthy individuals. The authors also noted that the serum calprotectin value of the patients who did not recover from the disease was significantly higher compared to those with partial or total recovery (Kuzucu et al, 2019). In another study, the serum calprotectin levels were examined in CRSwNP patients, and it was reported that calprotectin within the cells was transferred to the extracellular matrix due to inflammation; thus, it was elevated in the serum (Van Crombruggen et al, 2016).…”

“…There are only a limited number of studies on the role of calprotectin in the mechanism of upper airway inflammation (Van Crombruggen et al, 2016;Kuzucu et al, 2019). The current study aimed to measure the serum calprotectin levels in patients with sinonasal disease and determine the applicability of calprotectin as a potential molecular biomarker for CRS.…”

Update on Findings about Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Insight into Its Pathogenesis

“…When patients with SSNHL were classified into subgroups according to the severity of hearing loss, calprotectin values in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild and moderate groups. Serum calprotectin value was also associated with prognosis [ 21 ]. Serum calprotectin levels in patients with recovered hearing or partially recovered hearing significantly decreased after treatment compared with patients with unrecovered hearing [ 21 ].…”

Association of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with asthma: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national sample cohort

“…Less than 10% of SSNHL patients had brain tumours invading the internal auditory canal and causing inner ear anomaly 16. Inner ear pathophysiology related to inflammation, immune system dysfunction and vascular causes were suggested as contributing factors for SSNHL 17 19. Based on a shared pathophysiological mechanism with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, a number of previous studies reported an increased risk of these diseases in SSNHL patients 20.…”