Learning Objectives:
Introduction: Previous studies showed inconsistent findings about deafness in Sjogren's syndrome(SS).
Aims: The study objective was to assess the prevalence of deafness in SS
Methods: A cohort matched, prospective, cross sectional observational study. Ethical approval was granted. Patient and control subjects gave informed consent. History and otoscopic examination of patient and control groups were performed. Pure tone audiogram was performed. Means of hearing thresholds at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, & 8KHz were calculated in both groups.
SPSS statistical package was used for statistical analysis. SS patient hearing threshold was classified abnormal if the threshold was 20 dB at least worse at one or more frequencies compared to controls.
Results: 28 SS patients (F = 25:M = 3) with mean age 59 years old (range 36–83) according to the American European criteria for SS diagnosis and 34 controls (F = 32:M = 2) with mean age 56 years old (range 35–78) had been enrolled according to inclusion criteria.
Hearing acuity was found to be highly correlated with age (Pearson 0.707 p
Conclusions: These results suggest that SS does not have an effect on hearing levels. SSyndrome does not appear to be associated with hearing loss.
