Do neuropathy and hypertension associated with increased risk of hearing loss among type 2 diabetic patients?
Abdulbari Bener*, Lütfü Hanoglu, Hakan Cincik, Mustafa Güzel, Mustafa Öztürk, Ralph A.DeFronzo, Muhammad Abdul-Ghani
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between neuropathy and hearing loss among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Methods: Cross sectional study carried on subjects aged between 20 and 60 years who visited the Ear Nose Throat (ENT), diabetic
metabolic syndrome, and Endocrinology outpatient clinics registry of the Medipol International School of Medicine, Medipol Hospital
during the study period from February 2015 to May 2017. Of the total 850 diabetic patients approached, 610 (71.9%), gave their consent.
During the study period, prevalence, hearing, audiological test, family history and medical problems associated with hearing impairment
in middle aged patients were recorded. Two audiometers Grason Stadler GSI 61 and Interacoustics AC40 Clinical audiometer were used
to evaluate the hearing loss.
Results: The mean age (± SD, in years) for neuropathy with hearing loss versus normal subjects was 47.7 ±10.2 vs.48.5±9.1. The associated
risk factors were significantly higher in T2DM with hearing loss, hypertension, (32.6% vs 15.7%), tinnitus (40.0% vs 18.0%),
vertigo (59.7% vs 26.8%) and headache (54.9% vs 45.3%), than in normal hearing diabetes. There were statistically significant differences
between hearing impairment versus normal hearing for vitamin D [18.09±7.65 ng/ml vs 22.85±9.00 ng/ml; p<0.001], calcium
(p<0.001), magnesium (p<0.001), phosphorous (p<0.001), ceatinine (p=0.007), cholesterol [(p<0.001), HDL (p<0.001), LDL (p<0.001),
albumin (p=0.010), systolic blood pressure [129.75±10.60 Hg vs 126.73±12.39 Hg; p=0.017] and, diastolic blood pressure [81.09±9.2
mm Hg vs 79.29±7.95 mm Hg; p=0.012] and microalbuminuria (p=0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that
variables for predictors of hearing loss with neuropathy among diabetic patients were vertigo (p<0.001), numbness (p<0.001), hypertension
(p<0.001), duration of DM (p<0.001), head ache (p<0.001), Vitamin D deficiency (p<0.001), sleeping disturbance (p=0.012),
BMI (p=0.033), and cigarette smokers considered at higher risk as a predictors of neuropathy with hearing loss among diabetic patients.
Conclusion: The current study results suggests a strong positive association between neuropathy and hearing impairment among
T2DM. The study confirms that the Hypertensive and diabetic patients have moderately increased risk of future hearing loss.
