Hearing and cochlear function of patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Recent studies described audiovestibular impairment in AS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing and function of the cochlear system in patients with AS. Thirty-seven AS patients and 20 healthy controls were evaluated prospectively. Otorhinolaryngologic examinations were performed in all patients together with pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination test, tympanometry, and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOE). Disease duration, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores, and hematologic findings (CRP and ESR) were also collected. Pure tone audiometry findings of the patients and controls were significantly different in all frequencies (p < 0.01). Speech discrimination scores were also significantly different (p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between DPOE responses of the patients and controls (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between disease duration, BASDAI scores, hematological findings, and audiometry findings (p > 0.05). This study demonstrated that there is an association between AS and hearing loss, but the cochlea is not the main source of hearing loss.

Sudden Sensorioneural Hearing Loss and Autoimmune Systemic Diseases

“…In our review, we found evidence of an increased prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with AS, but not specifically its relationship with sudden SNHL. 42 …”

Extended High Frequency Audiometry in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…Sensorineural hearing loss has been reported in a number of chronic systemic inflammatory disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis, but exact cause of underlying pathology is still unknown [24, 25]. However, immunomediated vasculitis in the inner ear and ototoxic medication used for treatment was postulated as causative agents in some.…”

Audiovestibular Manifestations in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…According to Daglı et al [7] , high frequencies are organized in the basal part of the cochlea; therefore, the damage is in the outer hairy cells of basal and intermediate parts of the cochlea in patients with AS. Nevertheless, Kahveci et al [9] did not find any cochlear dysfunction in patients with AS with regard to the audiological and DPOAE results. They explained this with the multifactority of SNHL in AS (age, drugs, duration of the disease, duration of medication, acoustic trauma, and previous middle and inner ear infections).…”

“…They explained this with the multifactority of SNHL in AS (age, drugs, duration of the disease, duration of medication, acoustic trauma, and previous middle and inner ear infections). They added that another possible reason for obtaining normal DPOAE results might be owing to SNHL because of hairy cell dysfunction in the inner ear and synaptic or retro cochlear pathology [9] . During the course of AS, immunologic vasculitis, autoantibodies against the inner ear, and ototoxic effects of drugs may cause SNHL.…”

“…Amyloidosis can cause polyneuropathies. According to Kahveci et al [9] , the involvement of cochlear and vestibular nerves as well as the central pathways of cochleovestibular system with amyloidosis may cause SNHL. Drugs used for the medical treatment of AS were discussed as a possible etiological factor for SNHL.…”