Audiovestibular Assessment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: A Case Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Author

The Departments of Audio-Vestibular Medicine Unit, Otorhinolaryngology* and Rheumatology**, Faculty of Medicine, Bani Suef University

Abstract

Abstract Background: An earlier investigation indicated that SLE patients had auditory vestibular symptoms, such as vertigo, considerably more frequently than control participants. In a histological examination, patients with SLE had a considerably reduced mean density of type I cells in the peripheral vestibular sensory epithelium. Aim of Study: This study is to perform a comprehensive audiovestibular tests to determine the effect of systemic lupus erythematosus on auditory and vestibular system and correlate it with duration and severity of the disease. Patients and Methods: The study comprised 30 participants diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus as patients group with 30 healthy controls. Audiovestibular system was assessed using pure tone audiometry, cervical Evoked Myogenic Po-tential (cVEMP), and Videonystagmography (VNG). Results: Significant difference in PTA thresholds between two groups was found. In cVEMP, delayed latencies and lesser amplitude of waves was found. Significant difference between the two groups regarding abnormal VNG results. No correlation was found between PTA, cVEMP, VNG results with disease duration nor severity. Conclusions: SLE can lead to hearing loss and is associated with vestibular symptoms, so it is recommended that audio-vestibular examination become a part of routine follow-up visits of SLE patients for early intervention and to minimize patient handicap.

Keywords