Audio-vestibular signs in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study is to show audiovestibular signs in patients affected by the connective tissue diseases which include RA (rheumatoid arthritis) . Methods: In our study, the study group included 30 RA patients and 30 patients included as control group which had no ear disorder. All patients had audiovestibular evaluations that include pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). Results: In RA group pure tone audiometry; air conduction at 500, 1000, 4000 Hz frequencies, bone conduction at 500, 4000 Hz frequencies were having more hearing loss than the control group. Tympanometry testing results showed that pressure and the gradient were increased in RA group compared with control group. In acoustic reflex test; the amplitude values were less than the control group at 500, 1000, 4000 Hz frequencies in RA group’s contralateral ear. When the RA group compared with control group in OAE testing, amplitüde values of TEOAE testing was decreased in RA group at 1000, 2000 Hz frequencies, and at 1000 Hz frequency, the amplitüde value was decreased in DPOAE testing. In VEMP testing; N1 latency amplitude was longer than the control group and P1N1 amplitude was shorter than the control group. Conclusion: When the systemic effects and etiopathogenesis of RA was thought; it was concluded that and audiovestibular system may be affected by this way