title: Therapeutic effect of combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 for sudden hearing loss: a propensity score-matched analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to analyze the synergistic effect of combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 for the treatment of sudden hearing loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational, non-randomized study with a historical cohort was performed at a university hospital. Between 2005 and 2012, 421 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled in this study and treated with combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 treatment. Additionally, 132 patients were prospectively enrolled and treated with steroid treatment alone between January 2013 and March 2014. After performing a propensity score-matched analysis, final hearing levels and the degree of recovery were compared according to treatment options.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 240 patients were enrolled after propensity score-matching, with 180 patients classified as combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 treatment group (group I) and 60 patients as steroid treatment alone group (group II). The final hearing level (35.56±34.64dB) in group I was not significantly different from that in group II (34.64±24.67dB) (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the combined treatment did not influence recovery, and the probability of recovery was 1.881 times higher in the absence of dizziness (95% confidence interval: 1.022-3.464, p=0.042), and 1.026 times higher in patients with better hearing in healthy ears (95% confidence interval: 1.010-1.041, p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to steroid treatment alone, combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 treatment failed to improve sudden hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Medical Center, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea. Electronic address: hoyun1004@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ho Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Medical Center, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Chan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Medical Center, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Myoung Su
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Medical Center, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Sik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Medical Center, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ah-Young
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Medical Center, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Chin Saeng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D057216:Propensity Score; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000527:Alprostadil; D008775:Methylprednisolone