title: Endothelial dysfunction in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endothelial dysfunction probably has a role in the etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). The aim of this study was determining of the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and SSNHL.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a case-control study, 30 patients with SSNHL and 30 otherwise healthy age and sex-matched controls were studied. Demographic data gathered included age, gender, family history of SSNHL, and history of smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Laboratory data included measurement of hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring flow-mediated dilation (FMD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were the same in age (47.9 ± 9.3 and 48.1 ± 9.6 years, P = 0.946) with female/male ratio of 1:1 in both groups. Diabetes and dyslipidemia were more frequent in patients than controls (20% vs. 0%, P = 0.024). Brachial artery diameter was greater in patients than controls before (4.24 ± 0.39 vs. 3.84 ± 0.23 mm, P < 0.001) and after ischemia (4.51 ± 0.43 vs. 4.28 ± 0.27 mm, P = 0.020), but FMD was lower in patients than controls (6.21 ± 3.0 vs. 11.52 ± 2.30%, P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that FMD was associated with SSNHL independent from FBS and lipid profile (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] =0.439 [0.260-0.740], P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endothelial dysfunction, among other cardiovascular risk factors, is associated with SSNHL. This association is independent from other cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes and dyslipidemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Nezamoddin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berjis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moeinimehr
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed Mostafa
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Elham Khosravi
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Bakhtiari
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Safoura
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nasiri
keywords: Brachial artery diameter; endothelial dysfunction; sudden sensorineural hearing loss