ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sensorineural (SN), conductive, and mixed hearing loss (HL) have been reported in increased rates compared with persons without RA. The object of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and type of HL in patients with RA. We also examined the correlation between HL and the clinical data and determined which factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA-related HL. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In this prospective controlled study, we compared 40 RA patients with 40 age and sex-matched controls. All patients underwent rheumatologic evaluation including ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor, rheumatoid nodule, etc. Audiologic assessment consisting of pure tone, speech, impedence audiometry, and tone decay test was performed. Statistical analysis of the two groups was carried out. RESULTS: The prevalence of the SNHL (air conduction threshold of >30 dB at > or =1 frequency or >25 dB at > or =2 frequencies and both air and bone conduction thresholds within 10 dB of each other) was significantly higher in the RA group (42.5%), and the majority was bilateral and cochlear type. Air conduction threshold at 8,000 Hz differed significantly between the patients and the control group (p< 0.05). Speech and impedence audiometry did not differ in both groups. The presence of SNHL in patients with RA was related to ESR, CRP, patients' age, and medication such as prednisolone. CONCLUSION: SNHL of the cochlear type is increased in patients with RA especially at 8,000 Hz.