Association between sensorineural hearing loss and vitiligo: a nationwide population‐based cohort study

Abstract

Background Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disease of the skin due to melanocyte destruction. A shared pathogenesis affecting melanocytes in the cochlea has been postulated. However, the association between vitiligo and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is unclear.Objective To identify the association between vitiligo and SNHL. Methods This retrospective, nationwide cohort study included patients with vitiligo and age-, sex-and comorbiditiesmatched controls (propensity score matching; 1:4 ratio) from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013. ResultsIn total, 13 048 patients with vitiligo and 52 192 controls were included. SNHL developed in 0.61% patients with vitiligo and 0.29% controls. After adjusting for sex, age and comorbidities, a significant association between vitiligo and SNHL was found (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.66-2.86). The other risk factors for developing SNHL included increased age, male sex, hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease and diffuse connective tissue diseases. In subgroup analysis, the association between vitiligo and SNHL remained significant in almost all the subgroups. Conclusion A 2.2-fold increased risk of developing SNHL was found in patients with vitiligo. Proper referral to otologists for early screening and closer follow-up of SNHL should be considered for patients with vitiligo, especially for patients with older age.

Comorbidity Burden Among Patients with Vitiligo in the United States: A Large-Scale Retrospective Claims Database Analysis

“…Melanocytes in the cochlea have been shown to play a key role in hearing [ 27 ], and it has been speculated that patients with vitiligo may be at an increased risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss due to melanocyte depletion in the cochlea. This hypothesis is supported by our observations as well as a population-based cohort study examining the association between sensorineural hearing loss and vitiligo from Taiwan, which showed a 2.2-fold increased risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss in patients with vitiligo compared with the general population [ 28 ].…”

Is there a correlation between vitiligo and hearing loss? - review of the literature

“…A significant correlation was found between vitiligo and the incidence of SNHL in almost all subgroupsresults of the study showed increased risk of SNHL by 2,2-fold in patients with vitiligo, particulary in people over the age of 50. Scientists emphasize the important role of hearing screening in patients with vitiligo, especially in the elderly [17].…”

Highlights from the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in 2022

“…11 study, with a 2.2-fold increased risk of developing SNHL in patients with vitiligo. 12 Remarkably, artificial pigmentations like tattoos can be removed using laser-assisted procedures, with picosecond lasers appearing to be more effective and better tolerable than nanosecond laser devices. 13…”

“…A significant association between vitiligo and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was revealed in a Taiwanese nationwide study, with a 2.2‐fold increased risk of developing SNHL in patients with vitiligo 12 …”