Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-04T18:06:42.938Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Progressive, reversible sensorineural hearing loss caused by azathioprine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2014

P W Jenkinson ,
M I Syed  and
L Mcclymont
P W Jenkinson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highlands, Inverness, Scotland, UK
M I Syed*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highlands, Inverness, Scotland, UK
L Mcclymont
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highlands, Inverness, Scotland, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Mohammed Iqbal Syed, Department of Otolaryngology, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highlands, Inverness IV2 3UJ, Scotland, UK Fax: +44 (0)7792 124 133 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

This paper describes the first reported case of progressive sensorineural hearing loss caused by azathioprine, which was reversed on stoppage of the drug.

Case report:

A female patient with previously normal hearing presented with progressive sensorineural hearing loss after being started on azathioprine. Otological and neurological examination findings were unremarkable. After stopping the drug, the patient reported an improvement in hearing, which was confirmed on pure tone audiometry.

Conclusion:

This previously unreported side effect of azathioprine is highlighted in order to increase clinical awareness. Early recognition of this adverse effect is important to minimise the possibility of permanent sensorineural hearing loss.

Keywords

AzathioprineSensorineural Hearing LossToxicityEar, Inner
Type
Clinical Record
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 9 , September 2014 , pp. 838 - 840
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Lee, RA, Gabardi, S. Current trends in immunosuppressive therapies for renal transplant recipients. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2012;69:1961–75Google Scholar
2Lin, C, Lin, SW, Weng, SF, Lin, YS. Risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a population-based cohort study. Audiol Neurootol 2013;18:95–100CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Khalidi, NA, Rebello, R, Robertson, DD. Sensorineural hearing loss in systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and literature review. J Laryngol Otol 2008;122:1371–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Saraçaydin, A, Katircioglu, S, Katircioglu, S, Karatay, MC. Azathioprine in combination with steroids in the treatment of autoimmune inner-ear disease. J Int Med Res 1993;21:192–6Google Scholar
5Naitoh, I, Nakazawa, T, Ohara, H, Sano, H, Ando, T, Hayashi, K et al. Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with various extrapancreatic lesions during a long-term clinical course successfully treated with azathioprine and corticosteroid maintenance therapy. Intern Med 2009;48:2003–7Google Scholar
6Thamprajamchit, S, Jariengprasert, C, Rajatanavin, R. Propylthiouracil-induced sensorineural hearing loss associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Endocr Pract 2004;10:432–7Google Scholar
7Weisert, JU, Veraguth, D, Probst, R. Bilateral deafness due to labyrinthitis in a patient with Crohn's disease [in German]. HNO 2012;60:132–4Google Scholar