Hypothyroidism and related comorbidities on the risks of developing tinnitus

Abstract

This is a retrospective longitudinal study that uses data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan of which hypothyroid patients who received a diagnosis between 2000 and 2010 were selected and followed up until 2011. The primary outcome of this study was the occurrence of tinnitus (ICD-9-CM code 388.3). The relevant comorbidities were selected as potential confounders according to the literature, which included vertigo (ICD-9-CM code 386), insomnia (ICD-9-CM code 780), anxiety (ICD-9-CM code 300.00), and hearing loss (ICD-9-CM code 388–389). The overall incidence of tinnitus was significantly higher in the hypothyroidism cohort than in the non-hypothyroidism cohort (9.49 vs. 6.03 per 1000 person-years), with an adjusted HR of 1.35 (95% CI 1.18–1.54) after adjusting potential confounders. The incidences of tinnitus, as stratified by gender, age, comorbidity, and follow-up time, were all significantly higher in the hypothyroidism cohort than those in the non-hypothyroidism cohort. The incidence of tinnitus significantly increased with age (aHR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.01–1.02). In conclusion, we report the relationship between hypothyroidism and the increased risk for tinnitus. We also found that hypothyroidism patients are at increased risk of developing tinnitus when associated with comorbidities including vertigo, hearing loss, and insomnia.

Statistical Associations between Vestibular Pathologies and Hypothyroidism: A Retrospective Study

“…Likewise, Tricarico et al [27] speculated that patients with hypothyroidism have an increased risk of recurrent BPPV, which is particularly high in hypothyroid patients with positive thyroid antibodies, suggesting an association between autoimmunity and recurrent vertigo. In addition, our observation is similar to the study by Hsu et al [38], who demonstrated a relationship between hypothyroidism and tinnitus, another symptom encountered in vestibular pathologies such as Menière's disease. These authors found that patients with hypothyroidism displayed an increased risk of developing tinnitus.…”

Hypothyroidism Is Correlated with Ventilator Complications and Longer Hospital Days after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery in a Relatively Young Population: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study

“…Research indicates that hypothyroidism decreases heart contractility, reduces stroke volume and rate, affects the vascular endothelium, and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, systemic vascular resistance, hypertension [1]. atherogenic lipid profile, and coagulation abnormality [2].…”