[Hearing loss and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Study of 30 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To asses hearing loss in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its relationship with clinical stage (fulfillment of diagnostic criteria for human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome/AIDS) and degree of lymphocyte depletion (number of CD4+ lymphocytes).


METHODS
Assessment of thirty consecutive HIV-infected patients regarding the presence of subjective hearing loss, pure-tone audiometry, brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP); and number of CD4+ lymphocytes and treatment with antiretroviral drugs.


RESULTS
Forty percent of patients reported hearing loss; 33% had an abnormal audiometry and BAEPs were abnormal in 56% of patients. The most common findings included high-frequency sensorineural loss and an increase in the wave III latency and interaural I-V difference. Subjective hearing loss and an abnormal audiometry were both related to the administration of antiretroviral drugs, whereas abnormal BAEPs were related to AIDS and low CD4+ lymphocyte counts.


CONCLUSIONS
In HIV infected patients, an abnormal BAEP is the most common audiologic disorder, particularly in the advanced stages of the disease.
Mata Castro
N
N
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
Yebra Bango
M
M
Tutor de Ureta
P
P
Villarreal García-Lomas
M
M
García López
F
F
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged