The Role of Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension With Hearing Loss

Abstract

Hypertension can cause hearing loss, but there is no clear definition of the mechanism(s) involved. The study aimed to explore the role of vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypertension with hearing loss. Patients with hypertension were divided into two groups based on hearing loss. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) and endothelial function testing were performed. A total of 216 (432 ears) hypertensive patients were divided into hypertension with hearing loss group (n = 104) and hypertension without hearing loss group (n = 112). The vascular endothelial biomarkers, ET-1 (endothelin-1) and vWF (von Willebrand factor) were significantly higher ( P < .05) in the hypertension with hearing loss group. RHI (reactive hyperemia index), ET-1, and vWF were the factors related to hearing loss. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of RHI in the diagnosis of hypertension with hearing loss was .652 (95% CI .552-.751, P = .005), and the Youden index was 26.2%. The AUC of ET-1 was .706 (95% CI .612-.799, P = .001), and the Youden index was 38.9%. The AUC of vWF was .617 (95% CI .512-.721, P = .003), and the Youden index was 28.1%. Vascular endothelial dysfunction may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension with hearing loss.