Nationwide epidemiological survey of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Japan

Abstract

Objectives: Using a large-scale nationwide survey database, we investigated the epidemiological characteristics for idiopathic SSNHL in Japan.

Methods: The subjects for this analysis were patients registered in a Japanese multicentre database between April 2014 and March 2016. A total of 3419 idiopathic SSNHL patients were registered in the database, and the clinical characteristics of the idiopathic SSNHL patients were obtained. Several factors associated with the severity of hearing impairment and prognosis were then investigated. Statistical analysis was performed to clarify the factors associated with the severity of hearing impairment and prognosis.

Results: There were significant correlations between the severity of hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, past history of brain infarction, heart disease, age (under 16 years/elderly), and symptoms of vertigo/dizziness. We also analyzed the prognostic factors for idiopathic SSNHL, and found that the severity of hearing loss (Grade 3 or 4), heart disease, aged 65 years or over, time from onset to treatment (over 7 days), and symptoms of vertigo/dizziness were all significantly related to poor prognosis.

Conclusion: The present large-scale clinical survey revealed current epidemiological trends for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and various factors associated with the severity of hearing impairment and prognosis.

Chinese abstract

结论: 这一大规模临床调查揭示出当前的特发性突发性感觉神经性听力损失 (SSNHL) 的流行病趋势以及​​与听力损伤的严重程度及其预后相关的各种因素。

目的: 我们利用全国大型调查数据库, 对日本特发性SSNHL的流行病学特征进行了调查。

方法: 本研究对象为2014年4月至2016年3月间在日本多中心数据库登记的患者。数据库中共登记了3419例特发性SSNHL患者, 获得了特发性SSNHL患者的临床特征。随后, 我们调查了与听力损伤的严重程度及其预后相关的几个因素, 并进行了统计分析, 以澄清与听力损伤的严重程度及其预后相关的因素。

结果: 听力损失严重程度与糖尿病、肾脏疾病、脑梗死病史、心脏病、年龄 (16岁以下/老龄) 以及眩晕/眩晕症状有显著相关性。我们还分析了特发性SSNHL的预后因素, 发现听力损失的严重程度 (3级或4级) 、心脏病、65岁以上、从发病至治疗的时间长度 (7天以上) 以及眩晕/头晕症状, 均与不良预后相关。

Keywords:

• Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
• epidemiological survey
• severity of hearing impairment
• prognostic factors
• corticosteroids
• intratympanic

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Health and Labour Sciences Research Grant for Comprehensive Research on Disability Health and Welfare from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/) (S.U).

Disclosure statement

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. The Shinshu University Conflict of Interest Committee also approved the study.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a Health and Labour Sciences Research Grant for Comprehensive Research on Disability Health and Welfare from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/) (S.U).