[Blood viscosity profile in rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss with positive Western-blot].
OBJECTIVE
To value a possible association between disorders in blood viscosity of patients with rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss (RPSHL) of autoimmune origin.


METHODS
We studied the viscoelastic properties of blood in 43 subjects bearing of RPSHL and a positive Western-blot for anticochlear antibodies: whole blood viscosity (WBV) at different shear rates and erythrocyte filterability (EF). These results were related to hearing loss initially detected and recovery average one year later from steroid therapy.


RESULTS
Just WBV at 230 sec(-1) shear rate was significatively higher in cases than in controls (p < 0.01). Hearing recovery degree correlated in an statistically way to increased values of EF (p < 0.01). There was no relation between initial hearing loss level and any rheology parameter.


CONCLUSIONS
Autoimmune RPSHL does not show a pathophysiology mechanism associated to blood hyperviscosity. So, rheoactive therapies as plasmapheresis warrant no clinical improvement.
García Callejo
F J
FJ
Servicio de ORL, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia. jgarciacall@hotmail.com
De Paula Vernetta
C
C
Platero Zamarreño
A
A
Orts
Alborch M H
AM
Velert Vila
M M
MM
Morera Pérez
C
C
Marco Algarra
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000235:genetics*; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D011282:Pregnenediones; C021988:deflazacort