[Hearing loss in multiple sclerosis patients]

Multiple sclerosis is one of demyelinating disorder of CNS that is an uncommon cause of the sensorineural hearing loss. This study was done to determine the hearing loss in multiple sclerosis patients. This case-control study was performed on 60 [44 women, 16 men] multiple sclerosis patients and 38 [27 women, 11 men] normal subjects by pure tone audiometery, otoacustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses in Gilan provine, Iran during 2010-11. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-17, Chi-Square and Fischer tests. 12.5% of case and 3.9% of the control ears had abnormal pure tone audiometery [P<0.05]. The frequencies of abnormal HF-pure tone audiometery and two modalities of otoacustic emission did not show any significant differences in two groups. Abnormal autidory brainstem response of ears were observed in 20% and 9.2% of cases and controls, respectively [P<0.05]. 20% of case and 9.2% of the control ears had abnormal auditory brainstem response [P<0.05]. The absolute latencies of waves I, II and V had not significant differences between two groups. Inter peak latencies of I-III and III-V waves were observed in 10% and 11.7% in cases ears and 1.3% and zero percent in controls, respecticely. 6.7% of cases and 2.6% of control ears had retrocochlear abnormality. Hearing loss detected by pure tone audiometery and auditory brainstem response is more common in multiple sclerosis compared to normal population

[ relationship between allergic rhinitis and chronic otitis media]

Allergic inflammation in upper airways can act as a predisposing factor for infectious ear diseases. There are some evidences about the role of allergic rhinitis [AR] in chronic otitis media with effusion, but its role in establishing Chronic Supportive Otitis Media [CSOM] has not been clearly shown. To assess the relationship between allergic rhinitis and CSOM in patients referring to Amiralmomenin hospital, Rasht, Iran. 61 adult patients with established CSOM were considered as case group and 58 patients with minor head and neck trauma as control group, they were evaluated for the presence of allergic rhinitis. All case and control group were over 15 years old and underwent skin prick test for 23 common regional aeroallergens. Allergic rhinitis was defined with positive symptoms and signs of AR and positive skin prick test. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 15[26.20%] and 8 [13.80%] of patients and controls, respectively [P=0.065].By logistic regression equation after corroding the age factor and the difference between two groups became significant [x2=0.026, OR=3.27, CI=1.15 - 6.57]. Indoor allergens, especially mites and molds, were the most prevalent allergens among both groups, but Outdoor allergens like grass pollen have a low prevalence. The prevalence of AR in the CSOM patients is more than the controls