ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To address the prevalence of audiovestibular disorders in patients with primary Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP). A series of patients with primary RP and secondary RP in the context of systemic sclerosis (SSc) were compared with healthy controls. METHODS: A prospective multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted in several Otolaryngology and Rheumatology Divisions of tertiary referral hospitals, recruiting 57 patients with RP and 57 age- and gender-matched controls. Twenty patients were classified as primary RP when unrelated to any other conditions and 37 patients who met the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc were classified as having secondary RP associated with SSc. Audiometric and vestibular testing (vHIT), clinical sensory integration and balance testing (CTSIB), and Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) were performed. RESULTS: As significant differences were found in the age of the two study groups, primary and secondary RP, no comparisons were made between both groups of RP but only with their control groups. No sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was recorded in any of our patients with primary RP and no differences were found in the voice audiometry tests with respect to controls. Four of 37 (10.8%) secondary RP patients presented SNHL. Those with SNHL were 7.03 times more likely to have a secondary RP than controls (p < 0.001). The audiometric curve revealed high-frequency hearing loss in 4 patients with RP secondary to SSc, and statistically significant differences were achieved when RP secondary was compared to controls in vHIT gain, caloric test, CTSIB, and CDP. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike patients with RP secondary to SSc, patients with primary RP do not show audiovestibular abnormalities. Regarding audiovestibular manifestations, primary RP can be considered a different condition than secondary RP.
ABSTRACT
La otoneurología es una subespecialidad de la otorrinolaringología-neurología que ha experimentado avances extraordinarios en los últimos 50 años y que en este momento se encuentra plenamente consolidada en nuestro medio. Mediante este trabajo, elaborado por la Comisión de Otoneurología de la Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología (SEORL), se ha querido hacer una aproximación que aporte información sobre cuál es la situación actual en cuanto a su ejercicio en España, tratando de determinar quién la práctica y dónde, con qué medios se cuenta y cuál es la actividad docente y la producción científica. Los resultados obtenidos, en general, son satisfactorios y reflejan la solidez del ejercicio de la otoneurología. El número de centros que cuentan con Unidad de Otoneurología es significativo, y la mayor parte de centros que carecen de unidad la consideran necesaria. No obstante, quedan por establecer aspectos relacionados con los requerimientos mínimos para su ejercicio en condiciones satisfactorias, así como establecer las directrices futuras que garanticen la mejora en la docencia y el incremento en la producción científica (AU)
Otoneurology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology-neurology, which has experienced extraordinary progress in the last 50 years and is currently fully consolidated in our environment. Through this study, prepared by the Otoneurology Commission of the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SEORL), we have attempted to design an approach to provide information on what the current situation regarding the exercise in Spain is, trying to determine who practice it and where, what resources are available and what the teaching and scientific productions are. The results obtained are generally satisfactory and reflect the strength of the exercise of otoneurology. The number of centres with otoneurology units is significant and the majority of centres that lack such a unity consider it necessary. However, there are aspects to establish related to minimum requirements for its performance in satisfactory conditions, as well as determining future guidelines to ensure improved teaching and increased scientific production (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases/epidemiology , Neurotology/trends , Health Care Surveys/statistics & numerical data , Specialization/trends , Neurotology/organization & administration , SpainABSTRACT
Otoneurology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology-neurology, which has experienced extraordinary progress in the last 50 years and is currently fully consolidated in our environment. Through this study, prepared by the Otoneurology Commission of the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SEORL), we have attempted to design an approach to provide information on what the current situation regarding the exercise in Spain is, trying to determine who practice it and where, what resources are available and what the teaching and scientific productions are. The results obtained are generally satisfactory and reflect the strength of the exercise of otoneurology. The number of centres with otoneurology units is significant and the majority of centres that lack such a unity consider it necessary. However, there are aspects to establish related to minimum requirements for its performance in satisfactory conditions, as well as determining future guidelines to ensure improved teaching and increased scientific production.
