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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of systemic and intratympanic steroid treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). METHODS: Ninety patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 30 per group). Group I patients were given oral methylprednisolone (MEPD) tablets, group II received intravenous MEPD injection, and group III received intratympanic MEPD injection. Pure-tone average (PTA) hearing threshold was recorded before and after treatment as well as 1 month later. The general efficacy rate was the ratio of patients whose hearing improved by >10 dB in each group. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the 60 patients (53.3%) in groups I and II together showed a hearing improvement of >10 dB hearing level (HL) in the pure-tone audiogram, compared to 21 patients (70%) in group III, respectively. The mean improvements were 16.1, 14.3, and 21.6 dB HL measured in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. Both the general efficacy rate and hearing improvement were significantly greater in group III than in groups I and II. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that intratympanic injection rendered better treatment efficacy than systemic administration.
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Administração Intravenosa , Administração Oral , Glucocorticoides/administração & dosagem , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/tratamento farmacológico , Perda Auditiva Súbita/tratamento farmacológico , Injeção Intratimpânica , Metilprednisolona/administração & dosagem , Adolescente , Corticosteroides/administração & dosagem , Adulto , Idoso , Audiometria de Tons Puros , Feminino , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/fisiopatologia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/fisiopatologia , Testes Auditivos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the combination of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and pharmacological treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and define patients amenable for HBO therapy. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, trial involving 136 cases with unilateral ISSNHL that were randomly divided into 2 groups: the pharmacological treatment (P) group and HBO + pharmacological treatment (HBO+P) group, which received additional HBO for 14 days besides the pharmacological treatments. Pure tone audiometry gain larger than 15 dBHL was defined as success, and the success rate of each group was calculated. RESULTS: The overall success rate of the HBO+P group and the P group is 60.6% (40/66) and 42.9% (30/70), respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, patients with mild-moderate baseline hearing loss, aged ≤50 years, receiving treatment in ≤14 days, or without accompanied dizziness/vertigo in the HBO+P group had higher success rate than the P group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HBO combined with pharmacological treatments leads to better hearing recovery than pharmacological treatments alone.
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Flunarizina/uso terapêutico , Glucocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/terapia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/terapia , Oxigenoterapia Hiperbárica/métodos , Prednisona/uso terapêutico , Vasodilatadores/uso terapêutico , Vitaminas/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Idoso , Audiometria de Tons Puros , Terapia Combinada , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/uso terapêutico , Potenciais Evocados Auditivos do Tronco Encefálico , Feminino , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/fisiopatologia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fator de Crescimento Neural/uso terapêutico , Estudos Prospectivos , Tiamina/uso terapêutico , Resultado do Tratamento , Vitamina A/uso terapêutico , Vitamina B 12/análogos & derivados , Vitamina B 12/uso terapêutico , Vitamina E/uso terapêutico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Most tympanic membrane (TM) perforations heal spontaneously, but approximately 10-20% remain open as chronic TM perforations. Chronic perforations can lead to an impaired hearing ability and recurrent middle ear infections. Traditionally, these perforations must be surgically closed, which is costly and time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for simpler therapeutic strategies. Previous studies by us have shown that plasminogen (plg) is a potent pro-inflammatory regulator that accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice. We have also shown that the healing of TM perforations is completely arrested in plg-deficient (plg(-/-)) mice and that these mice develop chronic TM perforations. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of local plg injection in acute and chronic TM perforation mice models. METHODS: Plg(-/-) mice and wild-type mice were subjected to standardized TM perforations followed by local injection of plg into the soft tissue surrounding the TM. TM perforations with chronic characteristics were induced by leaving TM perforations in plg(-/-) mice untreated for 9 days before treatment. The healing process was observed through otomicroscope and finally confirmed by immunostaining. The quality of TM healing was evaluated based on the morphology of the TM. RESULT: Daily local injections of plg into the soft tissue surrounding the TM restored the ability to heal TM perforations in plg-/- mice in a dose-dependent manner, and potentiated the healing rate and quality in wild-type mice. A single local injection of plg initiated the healing of the chronic-like TM perforations in these mice, resulting in a closed TM with a continuous but rather thick outer keratinocyte layer. However, three plg injections led to a completely healed TM with a thin keratinizing squamous epithelium covering a connective tissue layer. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that plg is a promising drug candidate for the treatment of chronic TM perforations in humans.
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Plasminogênio/uso terapêutico , Perfuração da Membrana Timpânica/tratamento farmacológico , Cicatrização , Animais , Doença Crônica , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Imuno-Histoquímica , Injeções Intraperitoneais , Injeções Subcutâneas , Queratinas/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Plasminogênio/deficiência , Plasminogênio/metabolismo , Plasminogênio/farmacologia , Perfuração da Membrana Timpânica/patologia , Cicatrização/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Both tinnitus and hearing loss are multidimensional. The purpose of this study was to identify and determine the degree of mental fatigue in patients with hearing loss and/or tinnitus participating in audiological rehabilitation, and to examine the self-reported mental fatigue scale (MFS) in this patient group. METHODS: Patients undergoing audiological rehabilitation at the Department of Audiology and Neurotology, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden, between 2011 and 2017 who completed a self-reported MFS questionnaire were investigated. Data on 76 patients were analysed in this pilot study. Patients were also assessed using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). RESULTS: The study population had an age range of 38-65 years, and most had normal hearing (37%) or mild to moderate hearing loss (46%). Only 17% had severe to profound hearing loss. A total of 56.5% had tinnitus, of whom 39.5% scored ≥57 on the THI, indicating severe tinnitus, whereas 43.5% reported no tinnitus. The MFS scores, ranging from 13 to 42.5 points, were divided into three severity levels for analysis: 10.5-15, 15.5-20, and ≥20.5. In total, 67% of the patients had MFS scores ≥ 20.5. Importantly, most of the participants (90%) with a THI score ≥ 57 belonged to that group. A significant positive correlation between a high MFS score and severe tinnitus was found. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that severe mental fatigue is more common in patients with severe tinnitus than sole hearing loss.
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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to describe experiences of disabilities and factors affecting daily life from the perspective of adult persons with severe-to-profound hearing impairment in combination with severe vision impairment. Furthermore, the study also investigated which kind of support individuals with dual sensory loss received, and their experiences as citizens in the society. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed, analyzed, and categorized using content analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen interviews were performed, with equal number of both sexes. Mean age was 70.1 years (47-81 years). Analysis of the data resulted in 22 categories, six sub-themes and two main themes. Two main themes emerged as Isolation and The Ability to control one's own daily life. Surprisingly, most of the participants did not think of their vision and hearing impairment as a combined disability. The interviews showed various kind of strategies to handle daily life. The Deafblind-team unit was reported to offer excellent health care. Companion services for persons with disabilities proved to have become more difficult to get support from and created lack of independence and control over their own lives. However, it was also obvious that the participants felt a positive outlook on life and were more solution-oriented in order to adjust their everyday life to their life-situation. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of vision and hearing impairment demonstrated isolation, and the respondents in the study have a need of support in everyday lives. At the same time, they struggle to have the ability to control their own lives.
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Pessoas com Deficiência , Perda Auditiva , Masculino , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Idoso , Atenção à Saúde , Audição , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a multifactorial emergency disease. Until now, the etiology of SSNHL is still unknown. Previous studies regarding the etiology of SSNHL are clinical studies depending on clinical data collection and analysis. Due to the insufficient sample size or various selective bias in clinical studies, the results of these studies may be inaccurate. This prospective case-control study aimed at exploring the possible etiology and risk factors of SSNHL. We enrolled 255 SSNHL patients and 255 sex-, age- and residence-matched non-SSNHL subjects in the control group. Our study shows that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of comorbidities including hypertension and diabetes, as well as the incidence of smoking and drinking habits between the case and control groups (P > 0.05). In addition, the peripheral blood white blood cell count, neutrophil count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and fibrinogen level of the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest smoking, drinking, hypertension and diabetes may not be related to the onset of SSNHL. However, hypercoagulable state and inner ear vascular microthrombosis related to an elevated fibrinogen level might be the risk factors of the disease. In addition, inflammation play an important role of SSNHL onset.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Registration number: ChiCTR2100048991.
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Diabetes Mellitus , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial , Perda Auditiva Súbita , Hipertensão , Humanos , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Prognóstico , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/epidemiologia , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/etiologia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/epidemiologia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/etiologia , Hipertensão/etiologia , Hipertensão/complicações , FibrinogênioRESUMO
AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a cause of various types of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in a group of nonsyndromic children with otherwise unknown aetiology of hearing loss. Furthermore, the occurrence of combined congenital CMV infection and connexin 26 (Cx26) mutations was investigated. METHODS: The dried blood spot (DBS) cards of 45 children with various degrees of hearing deficits and 46 children with severe/profound hearing loss were tested for CMV DNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The DBS cards of the 46 children with severe/profound hearing loss were also analysed for Cx26 mutations. RESULTS: Of the 45 children with various degrees of hearing loss, nine were positive for CMV DNA (20%). The nine children represented severe/profound, mild and unilateral hearing loss. From the 46 children with severe/profound hearing loss, nine of 46 (20%) were positive for CMV DNA. In addition, three of the CMV DNA-positive children were carriers of mutations of Cx26. CONCLUSION: Congenital CMV infection is a high risk factor in hearing impairment among children.
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Conexinas/genética , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/complicações , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/virologia , Adolescente , Criança , Estudos de Coortes , Conexina 26 , Citomegalovirus/genética , Citomegalovirus/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/congênito , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/diagnóstico , DNA Viral/análise , Teste em Amostras de Sangue Seco , Marcadores Genéticos , Perda Auditiva Bilateral/genética , Perda Auditiva Bilateral/virologia , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/genética , Perda Auditiva Unilateral/genética , Perda Auditiva Unilateral/virologia , Humanos , Mutação , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Sistema de Registros , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) contributes to the early diagnosis of hearing loss. However, not all permanent pediatric hearing impairments can be identified by UNHS. AIMS/OBJECTIVE: To investigate children who have successfully passed the UNHS, but have later-onset hearing loss at an early stage. METHODS: UNHS of children, was reviewed retrospectively from databases at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. Gender, age, the reason for contact, the first contact and the most recent audiogram, the hearing diagnosis, the degree of hearing loss when they were enrolled in hearing rehabilitation, and the hearing aids they used were analysed. RESULTS: 63 children who had passed the UNHS at birth and were diagnosed with a hearing impairment at a later stage were included in the study. The average age was 3.3 and 3.9 years old when the children were diagnosed and were finally enrolled in the hearing habilitation, respectively. The reasons for diagnostic evaluation of a suspected hearing loss at present study are preschool hearing tests at the Child Health Care Centres, parents suspect, and/or delayed speech and language development. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that a passed UNHS does not exclude a future delayed onset of hearing loss, particularly in children with risk factors.
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Diagnóstico Precoce , Perda Auditiva/diagnóstico , Testes Auditivos/métodos , Triagem Neonatal/métodos , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
A prospective cross-sectional design was used to characterize congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The underlying material of >30,000 consecutively screened newborns comprised 11 subjects with nonprofound, alleged nonsyndromic, SNHL. Comprehensive audiological testing was performed at ≈11 years of age. Results showed symmetrical sigmoid-like median pure-tone thresholds (PTTs) reaching 50−60 dB HL. The congenital SNHL revealed recruitment, increased upward spread of masking, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) dependent on PTT (≤60 dB HL), reduced auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitude, and normal magnetic resonance imaging. Unaided recognition of speech in spatially separate competing speech (SCS) deteriorated with increasing uncomfortable loudness level (UCL), plausibly linked to reduced afferent signals. Most subjects demonstrated hearing aid (HA) benefit in a demanding laboratory listening situation. Questionnaires revealed HA benefit in real-world listening situations. This functional characterization should be important for the outline of clinical guidelines. The distinct relationship between DPOAE and PTT, up to the theoretical limit of cochlear amplification, and the low ABR amplitude remain to be elucidated. The significant relation between UCL and SCS has implications for HA-fitting. The fitting of HAs based on causes, mechanisms, and functional characterization of the SNHL may be an individualized intervention approach and deserves future research.
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OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) in urban Chinese children in Xi'an, China. METHODS: Five kindergartens and 3 primary schools were randomly selected in the urban area of Xi'an. Screening otoscopic and tympanometric examinations were performed on 2,902 children (1,491 boys and 1,411 girls) 2 to 8 years of age. Children with an abnormal tympanogram and simultaneous otomicroscopic signs of effusion were given a diagnosis of OME. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of OME was 4.3%. By age group, the prevalence was 14.0% in 2-year-olds, 8.3% in 3-year-olds, 5.0% in 4-year-olds, 4.9% in 5-year-olds, 2.8% in 6-year-olds, 1.7% in 7-year-olds, and 3.2% in 8-year-olds. The prevalence rate for OME was 4.7% for boys versus 3.9% for girls, and 3.0% in the right ear versus 2.7% in the left, showing no statistically significant difference between genders or between ear sides (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OME in urban areas of Xi'an is not high in comparison with that of the same age group in surrounding areas.
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Otite Média com Derrame/epidemiologia , Testes de Impedância Acústica , Criança , Pré-Escolar , China/epidemiologia , Coleta de Dados , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalência , Distribuição Aleatória , População UrbanaRESUMO
Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is an emergency disease requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. The incidence of ISSNHL in the Western countries' population was estimated to 5-20 per 100,000 inhabitants. The etiology of ISSNHL remains unknown. Its pathogenesis is most often suggested to be due to a disturbed microcirculation and infection. Previous studies have reported that comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hyperfibrinogenemia are risk factors of ISSNHL. This study aimed at investigating the clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters and comorbidities of patients with ISSNHL. Our study suggests that the annual incidence of ISSNHL in China mainland is 19 per 100 000. The clinical characteristics and prevalence of comorbidities of ISSNHL patients are different according to age distribution and hearing results. Moreover, the patients with vertigo, hypertension, DM and high TG suffered more often from severe hearing loss compared with the counterparts. This indicates that the cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (hypertension and hyperlipidemia) appeared to be closely associated with the occurrence and severity of ISSNHL.
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Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/epidemiologia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/epidemiologia , Hiperlipidemias/epidemiologia , Hipertensão/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , China/epidemiologia , Comorbidade , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and report demographic data of patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss, assess participation in audiological rehabilitation and analyze the benefits of various rehabilitation methods.Materials and methods: Data on 4286 patients with severe-to-profound hearing impairments registered in the Swedish Quality Register of Otorhinolaryngology over a period from 2006-2015 were studied. Demographic data, gender differences, audiological rehabilitation and benefits of the rehabilitation were analyzed.Results: Group rehabilitation and visits to a hearing rehabilitation educator provided the most benefits in audiological rehabilitation. Only 40.5% of the patients received extended audiological rehabilitation, of which 54.5% were women. A total of 9.5% of patients participated in group rehabilitation, with 59.5% being women. Women also visited technicians, welfare officers, hearing rehabilitation educators, psychologists and physicians and received communication rehabilitation in a group and fit with cochlea implants significantly more often than did men.Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of being given the opportunity to participate in group rehabilitation and meet a hearing rehabilitation educator to experience the benefits of hearing rehabilitation. There is a need to offer extended audiological rehabilitation, especially in terms of gender differences, to provide the same impact for women and men.Implications for RehabilitationSignificantly more women than men with severe-to-profound hearing impairment receive audiological rehabilitation.Hearing impairment appears to have a significantly more negative impact on women's quality of life than men's.It is important to offer extended audiological rehabilitation to all patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss to obtain an equal hearing health care regardless of gender.
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Correção de Deficiência Auditiva , Perda Auditiva , Qualidade de Vida , Correção de Deficiência Auditiva/métodos , Correção de Deficiência Auditiva/psicologia , Correção de Deficiência Auditiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Avaliação da Deficiência , Feminino , Auxiliares de Audição , Perda Auditiva/diagnóstico , Perda Auditiva/epidemiologia , Perda Auditiva/reabilitação , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Sexuais , Suécia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate digital imaging of the tympanic membrane by telemedicine technology and study interpersonal agreement in assessing image quality. METHODS: In an open consecutive study, 64 children aged 2-16 years who attended three rural health care centres in Northern Sweden with otalgia were examined with video endoscopic photography of their tympanic membrane in a telemedical environment. One hundred and twenty-four images were stored in a central database and later assessed independently regarding image quality by an ENT specialist, a general practitioner and a registrar in general practice. The overall image quality was graded (0-2) regarding assessment of signs of tympanic membrane inflammation. All images were also assessed regarding 8 different components, four image-related components and four anatomically related components. RESULTS: Overall image quality was good, with 82.3% of acceptable or excellent quality. The position and thickness of the TM were found to be the most important factors of the images to be able to assess inflammatory disease. Image quality tended to be higher later in the study as a sign of improved skills of examiners. Interpersonal agreement between examiners was acceptable. Overall grade showed kappa 0.56, 0.49 and 0.66 respectively, and focus, light and existence of obscuring objects were the components with the highest agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The image quality of video endoscopy of the tympanic membrane was good overall. Interpersonal agreement in evaluating image quality was acceptable but not excellent. The use of digital imaging of good quality in clinical studies can offer an objective clinical evaluation of the TM in retrospect by independent reviewers using strict criteria.
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Telemedicina/normas , Membrana Timpânica/patologia , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Bases de Dados Factuais , Endoscopia , Medicina de Família e Comunidade , Humanos , Inflamação/patologia , Variações Dependentes do Observador , Otolaringologia , Serviços de Saúde Rural , Gravação em VídeoRESUMO
CONCLUSION: Among the three main gentamicin (GM) compounds following intratympanic application, the cochleotoxicity of C2 was the most severe, whereas that of C1a was the weakest. Understanding of the different cochleotoxicity characteristics of each compound may be of use in future custom-made intratympanic therapy for Ménière's disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in cochleotoxicity among three major GM compounds following intratympanic application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three GM compounds (C1, C2, and C1a) were isolated. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated every 2 days for 2 weeks with intratympanic application of saline, GM complex, C1, C2, and C1a. The cochleotoxicity of each compound was assessed by measuring auditory brainstem response (ABR) and through morphological analyses using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The ABR threshold of the C2 group was found to be more impaired than those of the other groups. The C1a group showed the mildest elevation of the ABR thresholds. Morphological analyses revealed that the proportion of remaining outer hair cells (OHCs) was the lowest in animals treated with C2. Morphologically, the C1 and C1a groups showed the least damage to OHCs.
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Orelha Média/efeitos dos fármacos , Gentamicinas/toxicidade , Doença de Meniere/induzido quimicamente , Animais , Orelha Média/patologia , Potenciais Evocados Auditivos do Tronco Encefálico/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Ciliadas Auditivas Externas/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Ciliadas Auditivas Externas/patologia , Masculino , Doença de Meniere/patologia , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To survey long-term hearing outcomes and middle ear pathology in a 30-year follow-up in individuals with onset of recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) before three years of age. METHODS: 28 adults, aged 30.1-31.8 years, who originally - at the age of 12-32 months - participated in a study on rAOM between 1979 and 1983, were re-examined regarding self-reported ear problems, current tympanic membrane changes and audiology. Thirteen subjects had suffered from rAOM during early childhood and 15 subjects served as a control group. RESULTS: Recurrent acute otitis media subjects reported hearing problems comparable to those of the controls. Pure tone audiometry, at 125-8000 Hz, did not differ between groups. The rAOM group had a trend for impaired high-frequency (9000-14,000 Hz) threshold levels (9000-14,000 Hz); implying that their cochlear function seemed to have deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: Adults, who suffered from recurrent acute otitis media as infants, did not show any clinically significant hearing loss for pure tone audiometry when compared to controls, but there was a trend for impaired results regarding extended high frequency audiometry (9-14 kHz). Children suffering from rAOM will be at low risk of developing hearing loss and severe middle ear disease.
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Audição , Otite Média/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Audiometria , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Pré-Escolar , Seguimentos , Humanos , Lactente , Otite Média/patologia , Membrana Timpânica/patologiaRESUMO
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe vision impairment in combination with severe-to-profound hearing loss seem to have a higher risk for effects on QoL, including: mobility, the ability to provide self-care and perform usual activities, and levels of anxiety and depression, compared with patients with only severe-to-profound hearing loss. OBJECTIVES: To study the quality-of-life (QoL) and audiological rehabilitation of the severely vision-impaired patient population among adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss in Sweden. METHOD: A study of data collected from 543 patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss combined with severe vision impairment among the total of 2319 persons registered in the Swedish Quality Register of Otorhinolaryngology. QoL was measured with the following instruments: EQ5D, PIRS, and HADS. Audiological rehabilitation was described and evaluated. RESULTS: The patients with dual sensory loss were younger, were more likely to live alone, and had a lower level of education than the control group. The QoL of the study group was significantly negatively affected. In total, 89% of the study group had been rehabilitated with hearing aids, while 8% had received rehabilitation with cochlear implants. A total of 32% of the study group had received extended audiological rehabilitation.
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Cegueira/complicações , Surdez/complicações , Qualidade de Vida , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Cegueira/psicologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Surdez/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Plasminogen has been proposed to play an important role in different tissue remodeling processes such as wound healing and tissue regeneration after injuries. The healing of tympanic membrane perforations is a well-organized chain of inflammatory events, with an initial invasion of inflammatory cells followed by reparative and restoration phases. Here we show that the healing of tympanic membrane perforations is completely arrested in plasminogen-deficient mice, with no signs of any healing even 143 days after perforation. Inflammatory cells were recruited to the wounded area, but there were no signs of tissue debridement. In addition, removal of fibrin, keratinocyte migration and in-growth of connective tissue were impaired. This contrasts with skin wound healing, where studies have shown that, although the healing process is delayed, it reaches completion in all plasminogen-deficient mice. Our finding that keratinocyte migration and re-epithelialization were completely arrested in plasminogen-deficient mice indicates that plasminogen/plasmin plays a more profound role in the healing of tympanic membrane perforations than in the healing of other epithelial wounds.
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Fibrinolisina/metabolismo , Plasminogênio/metabolismo , Perfuração da Membrana Timpânica/metabolismo , Cicatrização , Animais , Proliferação de Células , Fibrina/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/patologia , Queratinas/metabolismo , Macrófagos/imunologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Camundongos Knockout , Infiltração de Neutrófilos , Neutrófilos/imunologia , Plasminogênio/genética , Plasminogênio/farmacologia , Fatores de Tempo , Perfuração da Membrana Timpânica/imunologia , Perfuração da Membrana Timpânica/patologia , Cicatrização/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution of 3 collagen types in healthy tympanic membranes, during healing of a perforation, and during infection. DESIGN: Immunohistochemical study of collagen types I, II, and III in the tympanic membranes of healthy rats as well as during healing of a perforation and in the presence of infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae at various time points. SETTING: Laboratory research center at a university hospital. RESULTS: Type II collagen was a main constituent of the lamina propria of the pars tensa, whereas type I collagen was found mainly in the pars flaccida. Collagen types I and III were found at the insertion to the malleus handle and in the loose connective tissue surrounding the main collagen layer of the pars tensa. After myringotomy, collagen types I and III were found at the perforation border and around dilated blood vessels early in the healing phase. During infection, the collagen layer was thickened and stained strongly for type II collagen. Collagen types I and III were found in the edematous connective tissue around the main collagen layer and around dilated blood vessels. Three months after perforation or infection, all 3 collagens were present in the lamina propria of the tympanic membrane. Extensive amounts of all 3 collagen types were present in the scar tissue in the tympanic membranes of rats that had undergone myringotomy during the presence of acute otitis media. CONCLUSIONS: The lamina propria of the pars tensa is mainly made up of type II collagen, whereas type I collagen is found in the pars flaccida. Thus the fibrous structure of the pars tensa and flaccida is composed of diverse collagen types, which reflects the different physiological properties of these tissues. Collagen types I and III are present in the acute healing phase after myringotomy and infection, and the collagen content of the tympanic membrane is modified during the inflammatory and healing process.
Assuntos
Colágeno Tipo III/análise , Colágeno Tipo II/análise , Colágeno Tipo I/análise , Infecções/metabolismo , Perfuração da Membrana Timpânica/metabolismo , Membrana Timpânica/química , Cicatrização/fisiologia , Animais , Tecido Conjuntivo/química , Otopatias/metabolismo , Edema/metabolismo , Imuno-Histoquímica , Inflamação/metabolismo , Masculino , Mucosa/química , Infecções Pneumocócicas/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Membrana Timpânica/cirurgiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intratympanic and systemic steroid therapies in the initial treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) patients. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Wanfang database and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) was performed covering the period from January 1990 to July 2014. A meta-analysis was conducted after filtering by the criteria of Cochrane Collaboration. Three hundred fifty six subjects in nine studies allocated to the group of intratympanic steroid therapies and 343 controls receiving systemic steroid therapies met the criteria for meta-analysis. The data were extracted and analyzed using the RevMan 5.3 meta-analysis software. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate in SSNHL patients receiving intratympanic steroid therapies did not differ statistically from patients receiving systemic therapies (RR = 1.08, 95ï¼ CI = 0.99-1.99, P = 0.10), although the rate of full hearing recovery in this group differed significantly from patients receiving systemic therapies (RR = 1.29, 95ï¼ CI = 1.00-1.66, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local steroid therapy appears to generate higher rate of complete hearing recovery than systemic steroid treatment as an initial treatment for SSNHL, which may be especially useful for patients in whom systemic steroids are contraindicated.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Otitis media is one of the most common childhood diseases worldwide, but because of lack of doctors and health personnel in developing countries it is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. This may lead to serious, and life-threatening complications. There is, thus a need for an automated computer based image-analyzing system that could assist in making accurate otitis media diagnoses anywhere. METHODS: A method for automated diagnosis of otitis media is proposed. The method uses image-processing techniques to classify otitis media. The system is trained using high quality pre-assessed images of tympanic membranes, captured by digital video-otoscopes, and classifies undiagnosed images into five otitis media categories based on predefined signs. Several verification tests analyzed the classification capability of the method. FINDINGS: An accuracy of 80.6% was achieved for images taken with commercial video-otoscopes, while an accuracy of 78.7% was achieved for images captured on-site with a low cost custom-made video-otoscope. INTERPRETATION: The high accuracy of the proposed otitis media classification system compares well with the classification accuracy of general practitioners and pediatricians (~64% to 80%) using traditional otoscopes, and therefore holds promise for the future in making automated diagnosis of otitis media in medically underserved populations.