ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is considered one of the most prevalent lethal genetic disorders. The life expectancy of those patients has been rising. Besides the well-known prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis, neurosensory hearing loss (NSHL) due to the large use of ototoxic antibiotics may be another problem that should receive special attention in otolaryngology (ENT). OBJECTIVES: Define retrospectively the prevalence of NSHL among patients with CF from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and based on this data discuss the need for a specific out patient ENT-CF clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Files from CF HCPA patients were reviewed for age at diagnosis, the current age, types of antibiotics used, number of treatments, percentage with audiologic evaluation and its respective results. RESULTS: One hundred and seven files were reviewed. The mean age at diagnosis was 1.33 years old (SD 1.97, range 0-12). The mean age of the sample was 7.87 (SD 4.49, range 1-22). Audiologic evaluation was performed in 39.3% (42) of the patients. 28.56% (12) had some degree of NSHL, while 36.3% did not present acoustic reflex. From 667 treatments with antibiotics, 49.5% were with tobramycin, 43.4% with amycacin and 7% with gentamicin. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NSHL among CF patients supports the need for a specific ENT-CF outpatient clinic. This clinic would help on the prevention and treatment of NSHL due to the use of ototoxic antibiotics and on the better understanding/control of rhinosinusal disorders.
