Significant association between osteoporosis and hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis / Associação significativa entre osteoporose e perda auditiva: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract Introduction: There is inconclusive evidence whether osteoporosis increases risk of hearing loss in current literature. Objective: We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether there is an association between hearing loss and osteoporosis. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted from studies of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. Osteoporosis was defined as having a bone mineral density with a T-score of less than −2.5 standard deviation. The outcome was hearing loss as assessed by audiometry or self-reported assessment. Random-effects model and pooled hazard ratio, risk ratio, or odds ratio of hearing loss with 95% confidence intervals were compared between normal bone mineral density and low bone mineral density or osteoporosis. Results: A total of 16 articles underwent full-length review. Overall, there was a statistically significant increased odds of hearing loss in the low bone mineral density or osteoporosis group with odds ratio of 1.20 (95% confidence intervals 1.01-1.42, p = 0.04, I 2 = 82%, Pheterogeneity = 0.01). However, the study from Helzner et al. reported significantly increase odds of hearing loss in the low bone mineral density in particular area and population included femoral neck of black men 1.37 (95% confidence intervals 1.07-1.76, p = 0.01) and total hip of black men 1.36 (95% confidence intervals 1.05-1.76, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Our study proposed the first meta-analysis that demonstrated a probable association between hearing loss and bone mineral density. Osteoporosis could be a risk factor in hearing loss and might play an important role in age-related hearing loss.

Abstract Introduction: There is inconclusive evidence whether osteoporosis increases risk of hearing loss in current literature. Objective: We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether there is an association between hearing loss and osteoporosis. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted from studies of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. Osteoporosis was defined as having a bone mineral density with a T-score of less than −2.5 standard deviation. The outcome was hearing loss as assessed by audiometry or self-reported assessment. Random-effects model and pooled hazard ratio, risk ratio, or odds ratio of hearing loss with 95% confidence intervals were compared between normal bone mineral density and low bone mineral density or osteoporosis. Results: A total of 16 articles underwent full-length review. Overall, there was a statistically significant increased odds of hearing loss in the low bone mineral density or osteoporosis group with odds ratio of 1.20 (95% confidence intervals 1.01-1.42, p = 0.04, I 2 = 82%, Pheterogeneity = 0.01). However, the study from Helzner et al. reported significantly increase odds of hearing loss in the low bone mineral density in particular area and population included femoral neck of black men 1.37 (95% confidence intervals 1.07-1.76, p = 0.01) and total hip of black men 1.36 (95% confidence intervals 1.05-1.76, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Our study proposed the first meta-analysis that demonstrated a probable association between hearing loss and bone mineral density. Osteoporosis could be a risk factor in hearing loss and might play an important role in age-related hearing loss.

Significant association between osteoporosis and hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is inconclusive evidence whether osteoporosis increases risk of hearing loss in current literature. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether there is an association between hearing loss and osteoporosis. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted from studies of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. Osteoporosis was defined as having a bone mineral density with a T-score of less than -2.5 standard deviation. The outcome was hearing loss as assessed by audiometry or self-reported assessment. Random-effects model and pooled hazard ratio, risk ratio, or odds ratio of hearing loss with 95% confidence intervals were compared between normal bone mineral density and low bone mineral density or osteoporosis. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles underwent full-length review. Overall, there was a statistically significant increased odds of hearing loss in the low bone mineral density or osteoporosis group with odds ratio of 1.20 (95% confidence intervals 1.01-1.42, p=0.04, I2=82%, Pheterogeneity=0.01). However, the study from Helzner et al. reported significantly increase odds of hearing loss in the low bone mineral density in particular area and population included femoral neck of black men 1.37 (95% confidence intervals 1.07-1.76, p=0.01) and total hip of black men 1.36 (95% confidence intervals 1.05-1.76, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our study proposed the first meta-analysis that demonstrated a probable association between hearing loss and bone mineral density. Osteoporosis could be a risk factor in hearing loss and might play an important role in age-related hearing loss.

GJB2 (Connexin-26) mutations are not frequent among hearing impaired patients in east Greenland.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate genetic causes of HI among the Inuit populations in the Arctic with a high prevalence of hearing impairment (HI). DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey with population-based controls. STUDY SAMPLE: Forty-five patients, with sensorineural or mixed HI and an available blood sample for GJB2 sequencing from DNA, were selected from 166 east Greenlanders by specialist audiology examination, including pure-tone air and bone conduction audiometry from 125 Hz to 8000 Hz. Controls were 108 east- and 109 west-Greenlanders. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with HI were included, 24 males and 21 females. Median age was 35 years (range: 5-76). The c.35delG allele frequency was 3.3%. One patient, homozygous for the c.35delG GJB2 mutation, had bilateral congenital profound HI. Another with mixed HI was heterozygous for the same mutation. Three were heterozygous for the p.V27I variant and one was heterozygous for the p.V153I variant. The frequency of the c.35delG mutation in the controls varied between 0.5% in west Greenland to 2.3% in east Greenland. CONCLUSION: The c.35delG GJB2 mutation occurs in Greenland with low frequency. We conclude the main causes behind the prevalence of HI in this population are chronic otitis media, noise traumas, and/or unidentified genetic causes.