Association between smoking and the peripheral vestibular disorder: a retrospective cohort study

Masaoki Wada,Shoichiro Nagasaka,Toyomi Kamesaki,Eiji Kajii,Yosikazu Nakamura,Kazuhiko Kotani,Taro Takeshima

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-17294-1

Masaoki Wada, Shoichiro Nagasaka + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17294-1

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Abstract

Common inner ear diseases include peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD) and hearing impairment. The association between smoking and peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD) is unclear. We examined associations between smoking and new PVD events. In this retrospective study, we consecutively enrolled 393 participants aged ≥20 years [mean age 65.3 years; males 133 (33.8%)] treated for hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or diabetes mellitus at a primary care clinic between November 2011 and March 2013. Participants were categorized as ever-smokers (including current and past -smokers; divided per <30 and ≥30 pack-years), and never-smokers. New PVD events were reported over a 1-year follow-up period. Hazard ratios (HR) for new onset PVD were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Compared to never-smokers, the adjusted HR was 2.22 for ever-smokers and 2.70 for all ever-smokers with ≥30 pack-years among all 393 participants. Among male participants, compared to never-smokers, the adjusted HR was 4.41 for ever-smokers with ≥30 pack-years. A smoking history of ≥30 pack-years was strongly associated with the risk of new onset PVD in males but not, females. This study may assist patients with smoking cessation for the prevention of new PVD events among males.

Highlights

Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, cancer, and a range of other serious illnesses[1,2,3]
Significant differences in alcohol consumption status and total cholesterol levels were observed among the three groups
Significant differences in triglyceride levels, and alcohol consumption status were observed among the three groups

Summary

Introduction

Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, cancer, and a range of other serious illnesses[1,2,3]. Common inner ear diseases include peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD) and hearing impairment[4]. The association between sensorineural hearing impairment and smoking has been reported previously[5,6,7,8]. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that current smoking was associated with hearing impairment in both speech-band and high frequencies, across all ages[5]. The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study reported that current smoking was associated with an increased risk of hearing impairment[6]. PVD encompasses a group of diseases including vestibular neuritis (VN), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and Meniere’s disease (MD); its mechanisms of onset are unclear[9,10]. An association between smoking and PVD events might prompt patients with PVD to more aggressively pursue smoking cessation treatment, potentially preventing new PVD events and smoking-related diseases

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