title: Simvastatin and Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of subacute tinnitus: a retrospective study of 94 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies suggest that hypercholesterolemia promotes the development of inner ear disorders such as tinnitus. However, the underlying pathomechanisms are still not clearly defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed to assess whether a reduction of serum cholesterol by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors may result in a relief of subacute tinnitus. Remission rates of 58 patients were investigated after 4 months of treatment with simvastatin (40 mg). Results were compared to treatment with Ginkgo biloba (120 mg; n = 36) as control group. Differences between tinnitus score at the day of first treatment and after 4 months were used as main outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment with simvastatin or G biloba, tinnitus score decreased from 41.3 ± 10.4 to 37.4 ± 17.3 and from 44.7 ± 11.2 to 41.2 ± 8.7, respectively. However, independently of the treatment regimen, differences of tinnitus scores were considered not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After administration of simvastatin over 4 months, this retrospective study has shown no significant efficacy in treatment of subacute tinnitus. For a more conclusive answer, further prospective, double-blind, and placebo-controlled studies with a larger number of patients are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Munich, München, Germany. martin.canis@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canis
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olzowy
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Welz
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suckfüll
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stelter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D028321:Plant Preparations; D019821:Simvastatin