title: INF- α and ototoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  INF- α is a common drug for the treatment of hepatitis B and C. Although a variety of related complications are discussed, possible ototoxic effects of this mediation are not well described.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a before-after control study, 24 patients who received INF- α for the treatment of hepatitis B and C and 30 normal controls were included. Subjective and objective ototoxicity evaluations via questionnaire, high frequency audiometry, and measuring transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) were performed one week before and one month after the prescription of the drug. Results. Subjective hearing complaint, tinnitus, and vertigo were seen in just 3 cases, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.083). In the frequency range of 4000 to 8000 Hz before (9.38 ± 1.0 and 10.7 ± 1.2, resp.) and after (17.9 ± 2.6 and 17.6 ± 2.6, resp.) one month of treatment, a significant difference (P = 0.083) was detected. Progressive decreases in amplitude of the OAE during TEOAE measurement in 1, 2, and 4 frequencies among 41.66%, 18.75 %, and 43.75% were observed, respectively. The hearing loss was seen more among older and male cases significantly. Conclusion. The results showed ototoxicity of INF- α that may encourage planning hearing monitoring in patients receiving this drug.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9137913316, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sharifian
authors.forename: Shima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamandi
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Sima
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zaringhalam
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakhshaee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; D012022:Reflex, Acoustic
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha