Vestibulocochlear manifestations in patients with type I diabetes mellitus.
Glucose metabolism has a significant impact on inner ear physiology, and small changes may result in hearing and balance disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate vestibulocochlear symptoms in patients with type I diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
a cross-sectional study of a contemporary group.


METHODS
30 patients referred from Clinical Hospital-UFPR to the Laboratory of Otoneurology-UTP between Mar/2004 to Feb/2005 were evaluated. The following procedures were carried out: a medical history, otological inspections, audiometry, acoustic impedance tests, and vestibular function tests.


RESULTS
The prevalence of otoneurologic complaints was: headache (23.3%), vertigo (16.6%), and tinnitus (13.3%). The prevalence of associated complaints and habits was: caffeine abuse (20.0%), allergies (10.0%), and alcohol abuse (10.0%). The prevalence of normal auditory thresholds was 90.0%. Acoustic impedance showed no changes. The vestibular test showed changes in 60.0% of cases. Peripheral vestibular deficiency syndromes were also found.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant vestibular system changes were found (60.0%) compared to the auditory system (10.0%). Audiometry revealed mostly normal results. The vestibular test showed changes in the peripheral vestibular system and the peripheral vestibular deficiency syndrome.
Speech Therapy, Tuiuti University, Parana state. karlinfk@yahoo.com.br
Karlin Fabianne
KF
Klagenberg
Bianca Simone
BS
Zeigelboim
Ari Leon
AL
Jurkiewicz
Jackeline
J
Martins-Bassetto
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015834:Cochlear Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests