The evaluation of cochlear functions in Familial Mediterranean Fever

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a progressive disease characterized by chronic inflammation, which also has negative effects on cochlear functions and hearing levels. We investigated whether the cochlear functions and hearing levels of FMF patients were different than healthy controls and also evaluated the relationship of hearing levels with the age at diagnosis, duration without treatment, and inflammation and lipid parameters in this study. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with FMF and 48 age, gender and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls were included in the study. The hemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid parameters of the subjects were studied and they all underwent pure tone audiometry and Transient evoked otoacoustic emission tests after an otologic examination. The hearing levels of the FMF group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The TEOAE signal/noise (S/N) ratios were similar in both groups. A positive relationship was present between the audiometric test results and the age, BMI, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels and a negative relationship with the high-density lipoprotein levels. A negative relationship was present between the TEOAE S/N ratios and the age of the patients, duration without treatment, lipid parameters, inflammation markers and the creatinine level. FMF patients are exposed to chronic inflammation and this can influence their hearing levels. The age at diagnosis, duration without treatment, chronic inflammation, unfavorable lipid parameters, and obesity can affect hearing tests negatively.

Evaluation of hearing in children with familial Mediterranean fever: A study during attack and attack-free periods

“…This may suggest that hearing impairment in FMF is due to a chronic autoinflammation process, which may, in turn, be due to a substantial amount of subclinical inflammation that persists between attacks [15]. Many pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions are increased even in the period without attacks [21]. Several experimental studies showed that several cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6, besides playing an important role in allergic disease [22], also have a critical role in damaged cochlea.…”

“…However, it is believed that the presence of these inflammatory cytokines in cochlear fluid together with monocytes and macrophages can cause cochlear damage [23,24]. FMF patients are exposed to intensive cytokine secretion and inflammation both during an attack and in the attack-free period, inducing in this way hearing loss [21], but further studies are required on this subject.…”

“…One limitation of the present study is that the relationship between hearing loss and the treatment was not evaluated because all FMF patients were using colchicine. There are studies showing a possible anti-inflammatory effect on the inner ear, while it also has an ototoxic effect [21]. However, the effect of colchicine treatment on the cochlea has not been clearly shown, and there is no study in the literature regarding the effect of oral colchicine preparations on the inner ear or the relationship between the dose and usage duration of oral colchicine and the audiometric evaluations.…”