The Prevalence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in β-thalassaemia patient treated with Desferrioxamine
- Author:
Kong Min Han
;
Goh Bee See
;
Hamidah Alias
;
Zarina Abdul Latiff
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Thalassaemia;
Pure tone audiometry
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2014;69(1):9-12
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of
sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in β-thalassaemia
patients treated with Desferrioxamine (DFO) and determine
the correlation of SNHL with average daily DFO dosage,
serum ferritin level and Therapeutic index (T.I).
Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study carried
out for a period of 14 months and 54 patients were recruited.
The recruited patients are transfusion dependant β-
thalassaemia patient aged 3 years and above treated with
DFO. An interview, clinical examination and hearing
assessment, which included tympanogram, and Pure Tone
Audiometry (PTA) or behaviour alaudiometry were performed.
The data on age started on DFO, average daily DFO, duration
of DFO intake, serum ferritin past 1 year and Therapeutic
Index (T.I) were obtained from patients’ case notes.
Results: The prevalence of SNHL was 57.4% and majority
has mild hearing loss (93.6%). Fourteen patients (25.9%)
have bilateral ear involvement and as many as 17 patients
(31.5%) have SNHL in either ear. A total of 23 patients (42.6%)
have normal hearing level. Although the prevalence of SNHL
was 57.4%, only a small percentage of the patient noticed
and complained of hearing loss (11.1%). There is no
association between age started on DFO, average daily DFO
and duration of DFO intake with normal hearing group and
those patients with SNHL. Positive correlation was seen
between average daily DFO with 2000 and 4000Hz on PTA in
the left ear and between serum ferritin level past 1 year with
4000 and 8000Hz in the right ear and 8000Hz in the left ear.
No significant correlation was seen between T.I on PTA.
Conclusion: The prevalence of SNHL from hearing
assessment is high in β-thalassaemia patients in this study.
However, it is manifested clinically in a smaller percentage.
We suggest a baseline hearing assessment should be
carried on all β-thalassaemia patients prior to DFO chelation
therapy.
- Full text:P020150724556186007138.pdf
