Effects of primary Sjögren's syndrome on hearing and vestibular systems

J Laryngol Otol. 2022 Dec;136(12):1254-1258. doi: 10.1017/S0022215122000391. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate primary Sjögren's syndrome patients in terms of hearing and vestibular functions.

Methods: The patient group consisted of 35 individuals diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome and a control group of 35 healthy individuals similar in terms of age and gender.

Results: The rate of hearing loss in the patient group was significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.021). The N1 latency value for the ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials test was significantly longer in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.037). Additionally, the posterior semicircular canal and lateral semicircular canal vestibulo-ocular reflex gain values were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: These results indicate subclinical vestibular involvement and hearing loss in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse tests can be used to detect vestibular involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Keywords: Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials; Head Impulse Test; Hearing Loss; Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials; Sjogren's Syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Head Impulse Test
  • Hearing
  • Hearing Loss*
  • Humans
  • Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / physiology
  • Semicircular Canals
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials* / physiology
  • Vestibular System