Auditory pathway in rheumatoid arthritis. A comparative study and surgical perspectives*

Author: Salvinelli Fabrizio   D'Ascanio Luca   Casale Manuele   Vadacca Marta   Rigon Amelia   Afeltra Antonella  

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

ISSN: 0001-6489

Source: Acta Oto-Laryngologica, Vol.126, Iss.1, 2006-01, pp. : 32-36

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Abstract

Conclusion . Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients present with both conductive and sensorineural deafness. Objective . To evaluate the prevalence and features of hearing impairment in patients with RA. Material and methods . A total of 28 RA patients underwent a rheumatological evaluation, including determination of rheumatoid factor, protein 2-glycoprotein I level and the Lee index. An audiological assessment consisting of pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and determination of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) was performed. The results were compared with those of 28 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Four selected RA patients underwent stapedectomy; PTA and TEOAEs were evaluated 6 months postoperatively. Results . Increased air conduction thresholds at 250, 500 and 1000 Hz were found in RA subjects in comparison to controls ( p