title: Hyperinsulinemia and tinnitus: a historical cohort.
abstract: Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, and it signals the presence of several underlying diseases, including hyperinsulinemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to dietary treatment in 80 patients with associated tinnitus and hyperinsulinemia. On the basis of data obtained by a questionnaire, two groups were established: One included patients who followed the prescribed diet; the other group included patients who did not comply with the treatment. The likelihood of improving tinnitus symptoms was fivefold higher in hyperinsulinemic patients who followed the diet than in those who did not (relative risk [RR], 5.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85-15.37; p < .05). In addition, resolution of tinnitus was reported by 15% of the patients who followed the diet as compared to 0% of those who did not. These findings underscore the importance of including hyperinsulinemia in the routine diagnostic investigation of patients with tinnitus regardless of whether associated with neurosensory dysacusis or vertigo (or both).
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. lavinsky.ez@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Luiz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lavinsky
authors.forename: Marcelo W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Humberto J C
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bassanesi
authors.forename: Cíntia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Avila
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavinsky
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018579:Patient Selection; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology*