Transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy in France: A cross-sectional study with 413 patients and real-world tafamidis meglumine use (2009-2019).

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe characteristics of patients with ATTR variant polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) and ATTRv-mixed and assess the real-world use and safety profile of tafamidis meglumine 20mg. METHODS: Thirty-eight French hospitals were invited. Patient files were reviewed to identify clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment compliance. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirteen patients (296 ATTRv-PN, 117 ATTRv-mixed) were analyzed. Patients were predominantly male (68.0%) with a mean age of 57.2±17.2 years. Interval between first symptom(s) and diagnosis was 3.4±4.3 years. First symptoms included sensory complaints (85.9%), dysautonomia (38.5%), motor deficits (26.4%), carpal tunnel syndrome (31.5%), shortness of breath (13.3%), and unexplained weight loss (16.0%). Mini-invasive accessory salivary gland or punch skin and nerve biopsies were most common, with a performance of 78.8-100%. TTR genetic sequencing, performed in all patients, revealed 31 TTR variants. Tafamidis meglumine was initiated in 156/214 (72.9%) ATTRv-PN patients at an early disease stage. Median treatment duration was 6.00 years in ATTRv-PN and 3.42 years in ATTRv-mixed patients. Tafamidis was well tolerated, with 20 adverse events likely related to study drug among the 336 patients. CONCLUSION: In France, ATTRv patients are usually identified early thanks to the national network and the help of diagnosis combining genetic testing and mini-invasive biopsies.

A Scoping Review of Otologic Manifestations of Hematologic Malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the otologic and neurotologic symptoms, physical examination findings, and imaging features secondary to hematologic malignancies. METHODS: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, were searched for articles including patients with otologic manifestations of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Data collected included patient and study demographics, specific hematologic malignancy, timing and classification of otologic symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging features and methods of diagnosis. Pooled descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-two articles, of which 255 (93.8%) were case reports and 17 (6.2%) were case series, reporting on 553 patients were identified. Otologic manifestations were reported on 307 patients with leukemia, 204 patients with lymphoma and 42 patients with multiple myeloma. Hearing loss and unilateral facial palsy were the most common presenting symptoms for 111 reported subjects with leukemia (n = 46, 41.4%; n = 43, 38.7%) and 90 with lymphoma (n = 38, 42.2%; n = 39, 43.3%). Hearing loss and otalgia were the most common presenting symptoms for 21 subjects with multiple myeloma (n = 10, 47.6%; n = 6, 28.6%). Hearing loss and unilateral facial palsy were the most common otologic symptoms indicative of relapse in subjects with leukemia (n = 14, 43.8%) and lymphoma (n = 5, 50%). CONCLUSION: Hearing loss, facial palsy, and otalgia might be the first indication of a new diagnosis or relapse of leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. Clinicians should have a heightened level of suspicion of malignant etiologies of otologic symptoms in patients with current or medical histories of these malignancies.

Exploring the perceptions of patients with chronic respiratory diseases and their insights into pulmonary rehabilitation in Bangladesh.

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) require holistic management which considers patients' preferences, appropriate pharmacotherapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and integrated care. We aimed to understand the perceptions of people with CRDs about their condition and pulmonary rehabilitation in Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with a maximum variation sample of people with CRDs who had participated in a feasibility study of pulmonary rehabilitation in 2021/2022. A multidisciplinary team transcribed the interviews verbatim and analysed them in Bengali using a grounded theory approach. Results: We interviewed 15 participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or post-tuberculosis. The analysis revealed three themes. The first encompassed understanding CRDs: Patients characterised their condition by the symptoms (e.g. 'Hapani' meaning 'breathlessness') rather than describing a disease entity. Some believed occupation, previous infection, or family history to be a cause. The second theme included perceptions of pulmonary rehabilitation: Exercise was counterintuitive, as it exacerbated the breathlessness symptom that defined their disease. Views varied, though many acknowledged the benefits after a few sessions. Even with home-based programmes, participants described practical barriers to finding time for the sessions and adopted strategies to overcome the challenges. The third theme focused on implementation: Participants highlighted the need for raising awareness of CRDs and the potential of pulmonary rehabilitation in the community, adapting to the local context, and establishing an accessible resourced service. Conclusions: Understanding how patients and their communities perceive their condition and the barriers (both conceptual and logistical) to acceptance is the first step to embedding this highly effective intervention into routine health care services in Bangladesh with potential benefits for the increasing number of people living with CRDs in low- and middle-income countries.

Can ChatGPT help patients answer their otolaryngology questions?

Background: Over the past year, the world has been captivated by the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The appetite for AI in science, specifically healthcare is huge. It is imperative to understand the credibility of large language models in assisting the public in medical queries. Objective: To evaluate the ability of ChatGPT to provide reasonably accurate answers to public queries within the domain of Otolaryngology. Methods: Two board-certified otolaryngologists (HZ, RS) inputted 30 text-based patient queries into the ChatGPT-3.5 model. ChatGPT responses were rated by physicians on a scale (accurate, partially accurate, incorrect), while a similar 3-point scale involving confidence was given to layperson reviewers. Demographic data involving gender and education level was recorded for the public reviewers. Inter-rater agreement percentage was based on binomial distribution for calculating the 95% confidence intervals and performing significance tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < .05 for two-sided tests. Results: In testing patient queries, both Otolaryngology physicians found that ChatGPT answered 98.3% of questions correctly, but only 79.8% (range 51.7%-100%) of patients were confident that the AI model was accurate in its responses (corrected agreement = 0.682; p < .001). Among the layperson responses, the corrected coefficient was of moderate agreement (0.571; p < .001). No correlation was noted among age, gender, or education level for the layperson responses. Conclusion: ChatGPT is highly accurate in responding to questions posed by the public with regards to Otolaryngology from a physician standpoint. Public reviewers were not fully confident in believing the AI model, with subjective concerns related to less trust in AI answers compared to physician explanation. Larger evaluations with a representative public sample and broader medical questions should immediately be conducted by appropriate organizations, governing bodies, and/or governmental agencies to instill public confidence in AI and ChatGPT as a medical resource. Level of Evidence: 4.

Item Level Psychometrics of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory in Vestibular Migraine and Meniere's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the measurement properties of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) using item response theory in patients diagnosed with vestibular migraine (VM) and Meniere's disease (MD). DESIGN: One hundred twenty-five patients diagnosed with VM and 169 patients diagnosed with MD by a vestibular neurotologist according to the Bárány Society criteria in two tertiary multidisciplinary vestibular clinics and who completed the DHI at their initial visit, were included in the study. The DHI (total score and individual items) was analyzed using the Rasch Rating Scale model for patients in each subgroup, VM and MD, and as a whole group. The following categories were assessed: rating-scale structure, unidimensionality, item and person fit, item difficulty hierarchy, person-item match, and separation index, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change (MDC). RESULTS: Patients were predominantly female (80% of the VM subgroup and 68% of the MD subgroup) with a mean age of 49.9 ± 16.5 years and 54.1 ± 14.2 years, respectively. The mean total DHI score for the VM group was 51.9 ± 22.3 and for the MD group was 48.5 ± 26.6 ( p > 0.05). While neither all items nor the separate constructs met all criteria for unidimensionality (i.e., items measuring a single construct), post hoc analysis showed that the all-item analysis supported a single construct. All analyses met the criterion for showing a sound rating scale and acceptable Cronbach's alpha (≥0.69). The all-item analysis showed the most precision, separating the samples into three to four significant strata. The separate-construct analyses (physical, emotional, and functional) showed the least precision, separated the samples into less than three significant strata. Regarding MDC, the MDC remained consistent across the analyses of the different samples; approximately 18 points for the full analyses and approximately 10 points for the separate construct (physical, emotional, and functional). CONCLUSIONS: Our evaluation of the DHI using item response theory shows that the instrument is psychometrically sound and reliable. The all-item instrument fulfills criteria for essential unidimensionality but does seem to measure multiple latent constructs in patients with VM and MD, which has been reported in other balance and mobility instruments. The current subscales did not show acceptable psychometrics, which is in line with multiple recent studies favoring the use of the total score. The study also shows that the DHI is adaptable to episodic recurrent vestibulopathies. The total score shows better precision and separation of subjects in up to four strata compared to the separate construct that separate subjects into less than three strata. The measurement error smallest detectable change was found in our analysis to be 18 points, which means any change in the DHI of less than 18 points is not likely to be clinically significant. The minimal clinically important difference remains indeterminate.

Phenotypical Characterization of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Premature Infants using Polysomnography.

OBJECTIVE: To use objective quantification of polysomnographic (PSG) parameters in premature infants to define the severity and nature of obstructions (partial hypopnea vs. total obstruction), along with the impact on sleep fragmentation and oxygenation patterns. METHODS: Retrospective comparison of PSG features in 207 infants (<12 months) referred for sleep disordered breathing. Our study groups included term (> = 37 weeks GA, n = 162) and premature (<37 weeks GA, n = 45) infants. Groups were compared for OSA sleep-stage-specific apnea hypopnea (AHI) indexes (REM and NREM), hypopnea indexes (HI), obstructive apnea indexes (OI) and arousal indexes. Oxygenation was assessed as % of time with SpO2 < 90%, nadir with apneic events and frequency of SpO2 desaturations (>3%) calculated as stage-specific O2 desaturation indexes. RESULTS: Overall, premature infants had greater apnea severity (AHI premature 13.9/h vs. Term 7.9/h, p = 0.018). Additional analyses showed that the primary difference between premature and term infants is seen in the group with partial obstructions (HI index) and severe OSA (OAHI> = 10/h). Premature infants also had greater arousal indexes (premature 13.8/h vs. term 10.5/h, p = 0.003). Although the percentage of time <90% at night and the median SpO2 nadir during apneic events was similar in premature vs. term, O2 desaturation indexes were greater in premature infants (10.3/h in term vs. 18.3/h in prematurity, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Children born premature have an OSA phenotype in infancy characterized by greater severity mostly due to frequent partial obstructions (hypopneas) rather than full obstructions (obstructive apnea). Prematurity is also associated with more intermittent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:1933-1938, 2024.

Placebo effect in randomized controlled trials for Meniere's disease: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Meniere's Disease is a condition known for its recurrent vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus. Previous studies have demonstrated significant influence of placebo treatments. Our objective was to quantify the magnitude of the placebo effect in randomized controlled trials for Meniere's Disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from inception through September 27, 2022. Data extraction, quality rating, and risk of bias assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. A meta-analysis of mean differences with 95 % confidence interval, weighted summary proportions, and proportion differences were calculated using random and fixed effects models. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies (N = 892) were included in the review. Significant improvement was seen in the functional level scores of the pooled placebo groups, with a mean difference of -0.6 points, (95%CI: -1.2 to -0.1). There was no difference in pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination score, or vertigo frequency at 1 and 3 months for the placebo group. Patient-reported vertigo episodes were improved in 52.5 % (95%CI: 39.2 to 65.5) of the placebo group and was significantly less than the pooled experimental group (90.1 %, 95%CI: 39.2 to 65.5, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The placebo effect in Meniere's Disease trials is associated with some symptomatic improvement in subjective outcomes, such as patient reported vertigo episodes. However, the clinical significance is questionable across other outcomes measures, especially when analyzing objective data. The extent and strength of the placebo effect continues to be a hurdle in the search for better treatment options.

Evaluating the Current Ability of ChatGPT to Assist in Professional Otolaryngology Education.

Objective: To quantify ChatGPT's concordance with expert Otolaryngologists when posed with high-level questions that require blending rote memorization and critical thinking. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: OpenAI's ChatGPT-3.5 Platform. Methods: Two board-certified otolaryngologists (HZ, RS) input 2 sets of 30 text-based questions (open-ended and single-answer multiple-choice) into the ChatGPT-3.5 model. Responses were rated on a scale (correct, partially correct, incorrect) by each Otolaryngologist working simultaneously with the AI model. Interrater agreement percentage was based on binomial distribution for calculating the 95% confidence intervals and performing significance tests. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05 for 2-sided tests. Results: In testing open-ended questions, the ChatGPT model had 56.7% of initially answering questions with complete accuracy, and 86.7% chance of answer with some accuracy (corrected agreement = 80.1%; P < .001). For repeat questions, ChatGPT improved to 73.3% with complete accuracy and 96.7% with some accuracy (corrected agreement = 88.8%; P < .001). For multiple-choice questions, the ChatGPT model performed substantially worse (43.3% correct). Conclusion: ChatGPT currently does not provide reliably accurate responses to sophisticated questions in Otolaryngology. Professional societies must be aware of the potential of this tool and prevent unscrupulous use during test-taking situations and consider guidelines for clinical scenarios. Expert clinical oversight is still necessary for myriad use cases (eg, hallucination).

Developing a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic respiratory diseases in Malaysia: A mixed-method feasibility study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of remote healthcare and home-based interventions, including pulmonary rehabilitation, for patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). It has also heightened the vulnerability of individuals with underlying respiratory conditions to severe illness from COVID-19, necessitating exploration and assessment of the feasibility of delivering home - pulmonary rehabilitation (home-PR) programmes for CRD management in Malaysia and other countries. Home-based programmes offer a safer alternative to in-person rehabilitation during outbreaks like COVID-19 and can serve as a valuable resource for patients who may be hesitant to visit healthcare facilities during such times. We aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering a home-PR programme for patients with CRDs in Malaysia. Methods: We recruited patients with CRDs from two hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia to a home-PR programme. Following centre-based assessment, patients performed the exercises at home (five sessions/week for eight weeks (total 40 sessions)). We monitored the patients via weekly telephone calls and asked about adherence to the programme. We measured functional exercise capacity (6-Minutes Walking Test (6MWT) and Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) (COPD Assessment Test (CAT)) at baseline and post-PR at nine weeks. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 purposively sampled participants to explore views and feedback on the home-PR programme. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Results: We included 30 participants; two withdrew due to hospitalisation. Although 28 (93%) adhered to the full programme, only 11 (37%) attended the post-PR assessment because COVID-19 movement restrictions in Malaysia at that time prevented attendance at the centre. Four themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: involvement of family and caregivers, barriers to home-PR programme, interactions with peers and health care professionals, and programme enhancement. Conclusion: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the home-PR programme proved feasible for remote delivery, although centre-based post-PR assessments were not possible. Family involvement played an important role in the home-PR programme. The delivery of this programme can be further improved to maximise the benefit for patients.

VM-PATHI Correlates With Cognitive Function Improvement After Successful Treatment in Patients With Vestibular Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in cognitive function in vestibular migraine patients undergoing treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Single-institution tertiary-care center. PATIENTS: Thirty-four patients with vestibular migraine were included in the study. Average age at diagnosis was 47.9 years. A majority of patients (91.2%) were female. INTERVENTIONS: Vestibular therapies included pharmacologic treatment (67.6%), mindfulness-based stress reduction (58.8%), vestibular physical therapy (20.6%), and lifestyle changes only (2.9%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaires were collected including the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory (VM-PATHI), and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. RESULTS: Median time between pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaire was 4.4 months (range, 2.8-15.6. mo). CFQ scores decreased in subjects who responded to treatment, as defined by those with a positive change in VM-PATHI score (average decrease, 6.5; p = 0.03). CFQ scores did not improve in subjects who had no improvement in their vestibular condition, as defined by no change or an increase in VM-PATHI score (average increase, 2.0; p = 0.53). Univariate linear regression showed that VM-PATHI score change was highly predictive of CFQ change ( p < 0.01, r2 = 0.36). Multivariate regression demonstrated that the VM-PATHI ( p = 0.03) and not the Dizziness Handicap Inventory ( p = 0.10) predicted changes in CFQ score. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported cognitive dysfunction improves with successful treatment of vestibular migraine.

Down Syndrome for the Otolaryngologist: A Review.

Importance: There are many features of Down syndrome that prompt referral to an otolaryngologist. As the lifetime prevalence and life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome increase, it is increasingly likely that otolaryngologists will have the opportunity to care for patients with Down syndrome. Observations: A confluence of characteristics common to Down syndrome may be associated with issues in the head and neck, from infancy through adulthood. Hearing concerns range from narrow ear canals and cerumen impactions to eustachian tube dysfunction, middle ear effusion, cochlear malformations, and conductive, sensorineural, and/or mixed hearing loss. Immune deficiency, hypertrophy of Waldeyer ring, and hypoplastic sinuses may complicate and develop into chronic rhinosinusitis. Speech delay, obstructive sleep apnea, dysphagia, and airway anomalies are also common among this patient population. Because these concerns may necessitate otolaryngologic surgery, it is vital for otolaryngologists to familiarize themselves with anesthetic concerns, including cervical spine instability, in patients with Down syndrome. Comorbid cardiac disease, hypothyroidism, and obesity may also affect these patients and otolaryngologic care. Conclusions and Relevance: Individuals with Down syndrome may visit otolaryngology practices at all ages. Otolaryngologists that familiarize themselves with the head and neck manifestations that are common among patients with Down syndrome and know when to order screening tests will be able to provide comprehensive care.

The importance of cultural tailoring of communicators and media outlets in an influenza vaccination awareness campaign: a digital randomized trial.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of ethnic minorities again. Health inequity within ethnic minorities has been explained by factors such as higher prevalence of underlying disease, restricted access to care, and lower vaccination rates. In this study, we investigated the effect of cultural tailoring of communicators and media outlets, respectively, on vaccine willingness in an influenza vaccination campaign in the Netherlands. A total of 1226 participants were recruited from two culturally non-tailored media outlets (Dutch newspaper and Facebook), and one media outlet tailored to a large community in the Netherlands with Indian ancestry. The participants from all three media outlets were randomly exposed to a vaccination awareness video delivered by a physician with an Indian or Dutch background, followed by an online survey. Cultural tailoring compared to cultural non-tailoring of communicators showed no difference in improvement of vaccine willingness (13.9% vs. 20.7% increment, respectively, p = 0.083). However, the media outlet tailored to the community with Indian ancestry, resulted in a higher improvement of vaccine willingness compared to non-tailored media outlets (46.7% vs. 14.7% increment, respectively, p < 0.001, unadjusted OR = 5.096). These results suggest that cultural tailoring of media outlets may be critical to effectively reach out to ethnic minorities to help optimize vaccination rates and improve general health.

Treatment Options in Mal de Débarquement Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review current treatment options available for mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS). DATA SOURCES: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review guidelines, we performed systematic search queries for MdDS-related texts. Documents must have been in the English language, and the time frame was all documents up until May 23, 2022. METHODS: Studies were selected if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal and if one of the primary objectives was the assessment of treatment for MdDS. The quality and validity of all documents were assessed by two independent co-investigators. Conflicts were resolved by a third investigator. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-four unique references were identified and underwent review. Ninety-seven were selected for full-text review, and 32 studies were ultimately included. Data were stratified by treatment methodology for MdDS. The categories used were pharmacologic, physical therapy, and neuromodulating stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in patient-reported outcomes is reported with several treatment modalities including specific protocols of vestibular rehabilitation, neuromodulating stimulation, and pharmacologic management with several types of neurotropic drugs.

Asynchronous digital health interventions for reviewing asthma: A mixed-methods systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: People living with asthma require regular reviews to address their concerns and questions, assess control, review medication, and support self-management. However, practical barriers to attending face-to-face consultations might limit routine reviews. Reviewing asthma using asynchronous digital health interventions could be convenient for patients and an efficient way of maintaining communication between patients and healthcare professionals and improving health outcomes. We, therefore, aim to conduct a mixed-methods systematic review to assess the effectiveness of reviewing asthma by asynchronous digital health interventions and explore the views of patients and healthcare professionals about the role of such interventions in delivering asthma care. METHODS: We will search MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from 2001 to present without imposing any language restrictions. We are interested in studies of asynchronous digital health interventions used either as a single intervention or contributing to mixed modes of review. Two review authors will independently screen titles and abstracts, and retrieve potentially relevant studies for full assessment against the eligibility criteria and extract data. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion with the review team. We will use 'Downs and Black' checklist, 'Critical Appraisal Skills Programme', and 'Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool' to assess methodological quality of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies respectively. After synthesising quantitative (narrative synthesis) and qualitative (thematic synthesis) data separately, we will integrate them following methods outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review will provide insights into the role of asynchronous digital health interventions in the routine care of people living with asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022344224.

Recommendations for Early and Comprehensive Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Its Related Cardio-Renal Complications.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health problem accompanied by an elevated risk of complications, the most common being cardiac and renal diseases. In Lebanon, the prevalence of T2D is estimated at 8-13%. Local medical practice generally suffers from clinical inertia, with gaps in the yearly assessment of clinical manifestations and suboptimal screening for major complications. The joint statement presented here, endorsed by five Lebanese scientific medical societies, aims at providing physicians in Lebanon with a tool for early, effective, and comprehensive care of patients with T2D. Findings from major randomized clinical trials of antidiabetic medications with cardio-renal benefits are presented, together with recommendations from international medical societies. Optimal care should be multidisciplinary and should include a multifactorial risk assessment, lifestyle modifications, and a regular evaluation of risks, including the risks for cardiovascular (CV) and renal complications. With international guidelines supporting a shift in T2D management from glucose-lowering agents to disease-modifying drugs, the present statement recommends treatment initiation with metformin, followed by the addition of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists due to their CV and renal protection properties, whenever possible. In addition to the selection of the most appropriate pharmacological therapy, efforts should be made to provide continuous education to patients about their disease, with the aim to achieve a patient-centered approach and to foster self-management and adherence to the medical plan. Increasing the level of patient engagement is expected to be associated with favorable health outcomes. Finally, this statement recommends setting an achievable individualized management plan and conducting regular follow-ups to monitor the patients' glycemic status and assess their risks every 3-6 months.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in the Treatment of Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Auditory and Vestibular Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To answer the following question: In patients with primary autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), (population) what impact do disease-modifying antirheumatic agents (DMARDs) (intervention) when compared with no treatment or corticosteroids (comparison) have on auditory and vestibular outcomes (outcome)? STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: According to PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to March 10, 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Studies of patients receiving DMARDs for the treatment of AIED were selected for review. Case reports, phase I/II trials, studies of patients with secondary AIED, and studies of AIED patients receiving solely corticosteroids were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Primary outcomes were pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination scores at baseline and after DMARD treatment. Secondary outcomes were rates of subjective audiovestibular complaints and rates of adverse reactions. No objective vestibular outcomes underwent meta-analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Mean differences were calculated using RevMan 5.4. Heterogeneity was assessed with the Q test and I2 statistic. Pooled prevalence rates of audiovestibular symptoms were expressed as a percentage with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Ten studies with a total of 187 patients were included. Treatments included methotrexate, etanercept, azathioprine, anakinra, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and infliximab. Mean treatment duration was 10.8 ± 22.2 months and mean follow-up was 13.7 ± 8.1 months. The pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination scores mean differences between baseline and post-DMARD were -2.1 [-4.1, -0.1] dB and 13.9 [8.5, 19.4] %, respectively. Seven studies reported 38 adverse events, four of which were classified as serious. CONCLUSION: DMARDs showed statistically significant improvement in auditory outcomes, as well as subjective symptoms, with relatively low rates of adverse events. They warrant further exploration to better compare with corticosteroids.

Managing the Destructive Foreign Body: Water Beads in the Ear (A Case Series) and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize our experience with super-absorbent polymer beads placed in the external auditory canal to better understand the damage caused and subsequent management required. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients at 2 separate tertiary referral centers. RESULTS: Seven patients were identified as having placed super-absorbent polymer beads in the external auditory canal, 6 of whom required removal under general anesthesia. Three patients did not suffer otologic trauma or hearing loss (average foreign body duration <72 hours). Four patients experienced severe otologic complications (average foreign body duration >1 week), all of whom were treated with otologic drops prior to bead identification. Of this severe complication group, 3 patients had restored hearing after surgical intervention, while 1 patient suffered profound hearing loss secondary to labyrinthitis ossificans. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of otologic foreign bodies is important, particularly if expansile water-bead is suspected. Depending on timeframe, water beads are highly destructive to the middle ear structures, and most patients will require surgical intervention.