The effect of recombinant interferon alpha treatment on hearing thresholds in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible ototoxic effects of recombinant interferon alpha (IFN alpha) on patients with hepatitis B.


METHODS
Twenty-seven adult patients (14 male, 13 female) with chronic hepatitis B who were administered recombinant IFN alpha treatment were selected for this study. These patients were treated with a dose of 10 MU three times per week during 8-12 months (average follow-up period was 11.2 month). The mean hearing thresholds at seven frequencies (250-8000 Hz) were determined the day before therapy, after 1st, 7th and 21st day, and 1 month after termination of treatment.


RESULTS
Hearing loss was detected in nine of 27 patients on the 7th day and the degree of hearing loss increased until 21st day of treatment. It was not exceeded 20 dB for any frequency with continued IFN therapy. The hearing loss completely recovered 1 month after the cessation of the IFN alpha. When hearing thresholds values of the day before therapy, 1st day and 1 month after termination of treatment were compared with values of 7th and 21st days, a statistically significant difference was detected (P<0.001). But there was no significant difference between the hearing thresholds values of the day before therapy, 1st day and 1 month after termination of the treatment (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
IFN alpha administration in patients with hepatitis B may cause mild reversible sensorineural hearing loss.
Görür
Kemal
K
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Mersin School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. dkgorur@hotmail.com
Kandemir
Ozlem
O
Unal
Murat
M
Ozcan
Cengiz
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001299:Audiometry; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins