Clinical role of vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate levels and hematological parameters in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), which is frequently observed in otolaryngology clinics, is characterized by sudden onset hearing loss that can develop within hours or days. Its etiology is still not fully understood.

Aims/objectives

This research aims to identify prognostic biomarkers that can be utilized to assess the progress of SSNHL as well as circumstances that may predispose individuals to the disease.

Materials and methods

Between 1 January 2019 and 1 October 2020, patients diagnosed with SSNHL in our clinic and a control group consisting of healthy people were examined retrospectively. The files of the groups were examined and the levels of hemoglobin, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), ferritin, iron, iron binding capacity (UIBC), vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate were statistically compared with the control group. In addition, the effect of the parameters studied in the patient group on the degree of recovery was examined.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean age and gender distribution (p > .05). NLR level of the patient group was higher than the control group (p < .05). Vitamin D level of the patient group was lower than the control group (p < .05). NLR and vitamin D levels had no effect on the degree of recovery (p > .05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of other parameters (p > .05).

Conclusions and significance

We think that our study can be a guide for adding vitamin D as a routine laboratory test in patients with SSNHL. In addition, we think that NLR value can be used as a marker in patients with SSNHL. It is recommended to investigate the role of vitamin D supplementation in better and faster response in these patients.

Main points

• The reasons that predispose to SSNHL are not fully elucidated. However, there is no laboratory marker that can be used in this disease.

• In our study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found to be higher than in healthy people. These results suggest that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

• The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was found to be higher in the patient group. We think that the NLR value obtained from the complete blood count, which is a simple and inexpensive laboratory test, can be used as a marker in patients with SSNHL.

Chinese Abstract

背景：突发性感音神经性听力损失（SSNHL）, 在耳鼻喉科临床上经常观察到, 其特点是突发性听力损失, 可能仅在数小时或数天内发生。 其病因学还没有被完全弄清。

目的：本研究旨在确定可用于评估SSNHL 发病进程的预后生物标志物, 并确定可能使人们易患该病的情况。

材料和方法：2019年1月1日至2020年10月1日期间, 回顾性检查了在我们的诊所诊断为SSNHL的患者和由健康人组成的对照组。 检查了患者组的资料, 并将其血红蛋白、中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞比率（NLR）、铁蛋白、铁、铁结合力（UIBC）、维生素D、维生素B12、叶酸与对照组进行统计学比较。 此外, 还检查了所研究的患者组参数对恢复程度的影响。

结果：两组之间的平均年龄和性别分布没有统计学上的显著差异(p>.05)。 患者组的NLR水平高于对照组(p<.05)。患者组的维生素 D 水平低于对照组 (p<.05)。 NLR 和维生素 D水平对恢复程度没有影响 (p>.05)。 两组之间在其他参数上没有显著差异(p>.05)。

结论和意义：我们认为, 我们的研究可以为添加维生素 D 作为SSNHL 患者的常规实验室检查提供指导。另外, 我们认为, NLR值可以作为SSNHL 患者的标志物。 建议探讨补充维生素D使这些患者的反应更好更快的作用。

Keywords:

• Complete blood count indices
• neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio
• sudden sensorineural hearing loss
• vitamin D

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). No financial support was received for the study.