ABSTRACT
Background: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor of the eighth cranial nerve formed from neoplastic Schwann cells. Although VS can cause a variety of symptoms, tinnitus is one of the most distressing symptoms for patients and can greatly impact quality of life. The objective of this systematic review is to comprehensively examine and compare the outcomes related to tinnitus in patients undergoing treatment for VS. Specifically, it evaluates patient experiences with tinnitus following the removal of VS using the various surgical approaches of traditional surgical resection and gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS). By delving into various aspects such as the severity of tinnitus post-treatment, the duration of symptom relief, patient quality of life, new onset of tinnitus after VS treatment, and any potential complications or side effects, this review aims to provide a detailed analysis of VS treatment on tinnitus outcomes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, articles were included from PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and EMBASE. Quality assessment and risk of bias analysis were performed using a ROBINS-I tool. Results: Although VS-associated tinnitus is variable in its intensity and persistence post-resection, there was a trend towards a decreased tinnitus burden in patients. Irrespective of the surgical approach or the treatment with GKS, there were cases of persistent or worsened tinnitus within the studied cohorts. Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review highlight the complex relationship between VS resection and tinnitus outcomes. These findings underscore the need for individualized patient counseling and tailored treatment approaches in managing VS-associated tinnitus. The findings of this systematic review may help in guiding clinicians towards making more informed and personalized healthcare decisions. Further studies must be completed to fill gaps in the current literature.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been associated with several comorbidities such as ocular, renal, and cardiovascular complications. However, the effect of T1D on the auditory system and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is still not clear. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate whether T1D is associated with hearing impairment. METHODS: The databases PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Three reviewers independently screened, selected, and extracted data. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools for Analytical cross-sectional and case-control studies were used to perform quality assessment and risk of bias analysis on eligible studies. RESULTS: After screening a total of 463 studies, 11 eligible original articles were included in the review to analyze the effects of T1D on the auditory system. The included studies comprised cross-sectional and case-control investigations. A total of 5,792 patients were evaluated across the 11 articles included. The majority of the studies showed that T1D was associated with hearing impairment compared to controls, including differences in PTAs and OAEs, increased mean hearing thresholds, altered acoustic reflex thresholds, and problems with the medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex inhibitory effect. Significant risk factors included older age, increased disease duration, and higher HbA1C levels. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that there is a correlation between T1D and impairment on the auditory system. A multidisciplinary collaboration between endocrinologists, otolaryngologists, and audiologists will lead to early detection of hearing impairment in people with T1D resulting in early intervention and better clinical outcomes in pursuit of improving the quality of life of affected individuals. REGISTRATION: This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023438576).
ABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotyped and repetitive behavior patterns. In addition to neurological and behavioral problems, individuals with ASD commonly experience otolaryngological comorbidities. Individuals with ASD often have auditory disorders including hearing loss and auditory processing disorders such as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), as well as both chronic and recurrent otitis media. These challenges negatively impact a person's ability to effectively communicate and may further impact their neurological functioning, particularly when not appropriately treated. Individuals diagnosed with ASD also have difficulty sleeping which contributes to increased irritability and may further aggravate the core behavioral symptoms of autism. The individuals with ASD also have a higher rate of sinusitis which contributes to the worsening of the autism behavior phenotype. The high prevalence of otolaryngological comorbidities in individuals with ASD warrants a better collaboration between their various healthcare providers and otolaryngologists with expertise in auditory, sleep, and sinus disorders in pursuit of improving the quality of life of affected individuals and their families/caregivers.
ABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has a high prevalence and a significant economic impact. Our knowledge regarding neurosensory disorders and co-occurring medical conditions in the ASD population is limited, particularly for autistic women. Most of the studies include male participants or do not make comparisons with their female counterparts. The objective of this systematic review article is to explore the quality of life as well as the prevalence of neurosensory disorders and co-occurring medical conditions in individuals on the spectrum, with a special focus on autistic females. The literature search was carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. A protocol of this systematic review was designed a priori and was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42022330368). We concluded that numerous medical areas were of concern. Autistic females are more likely than their male counterparts with ASD to suffer from psychiatric conditions such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, and eating disorders. They are also more likely to report GI-related disturbances and chronic pain. Further investigations are warranted to determine quality of life, as well as the prevalence and severity of neurosensory disorders in individuals with ASD, specifically studies comparing autistic females with their male counterparts. The information derived from these studies will help develop better support systems for individuals with autism, particularly females on the spectrum, in pursuit of improving their quality of life.
