Otologic Manifestations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
- Author:
Bo Young KIM
1
;
Myung Koo KANG
;
Tae Joo AHN
;
Tae Hoon LEE
;
Jae Hyuk CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Systemic lupus erythematosus;
Hearing loss;
Vertigo
- MeSH:
Antigen-Antibody Complex;
Audiometry;
Autoantibodies;
Autoimmune Diseases;
Complement System Proteins;
Ear;
Ear, Inner;
Electronystagmography;
Hearing Loss;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural;
Humans;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic;
Vertigo
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2008;51(5):416-421
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is considered a prototype of the autoimmune disease because of its multi-organ involvement. Pathologic immune complexes and autoantibodies are the main causes of organ damage. Patients with SLE appear to be at increased risk of inner ear injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the audiovestibular manifestations in patients with SLE. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We investigated the audiovestibular manifestations of 22 patients with SLE. Pure tone audiometry and electronystagmography were performed for baseline evaluation. ESR, complement count and dsDNA were evaluated to investigate relationships between audiovestibular manifestations and disease activity of SLE. RESULTS: Ten (45.5%) patients complained of hearing loss. Four of 10 patients were diagnosed as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and 3 patients as sudden SNHL. 9 (40.9%) patients complained of vertigo. Five of 9 patients were diagnosed as peripheral vestibulopathy, 2 as central vestibulopathy and 2 showed nonspecific findings. Audiovestibular symptoms were not related with disease activity of SLE (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Audiovestibular symptoms are rare but various among patients with SLE. The mechanism of ear damage remains unknown. Thus, additional prospective studies are needed to elucidate its pathogenesis.
