Metabolic disorders prevalence in sudden deafness

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to establish the frequency of metabolic disorders among patients with sudden deafness and to compare this frequency with data from population surveys. INTRODUCTION: No consensus has been reached regarding the prevalence of metabolic disorders among sudden deafness patients or their influence as associated risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled all sudden deafness patients treated in the Otolaryngology Department of the University of São Paulo between January 1996 and December 2006. Patients were subjected to laboratory exams including glucose and cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction, triglycerides, free T4 and TSH. RESULTS: The sample comprised 166 patients. We observed normal glucose levels in 101 (81.5%) patients and hyperglycemia in 23 (18.5%) patients, which is significantly different (p < 0.0001) compared to the diabetes mellitus prevalence (7.6%) in the Brazilian population. Cholesterol levels were normal in 78 patients (49.7%) and abnormal in 79 (50.3%) patients, which is significantly different compared to the Brazilian population (p = 0.0093). However, no differences were observed in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction (p = 0.1087) or triglyceride levels (p = 0.1474) between sudden hearing loss patients and the Brazilian population. Normal levels of thyroid hormones were observed in 116 patients (78.4%), and abnormal levels were observed in 32 (21.6%) patients. Compared with the prevalence of thyroid disorders in the general population (10%), statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p = 0.0132) between these two groups. DISCUSSION: Among sudden deafness patients, we observed frequencies of hyperglycemia and thyroid disorders that were more than twice those of the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia and thyroid disorders are much more frequent in patients with sudden deafness than in the general population and should be considered as important associated risk factors

Glucose metabolism disorders and vestibular manifestations: evaluation through computerized dynamic posturography

AbstractIntroductionGlobal sugar consumption has increased in the past 50 years; its abusive intake is responsible for peripheral insulin resistance, which causes the metabolic syndrome – obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a fractionated diet without glucose as treatment for labyrinthine disorders associated with glucose–insulin index.MethodsThe study design was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Fifty-one patients were divided into two groups: the diet group (DG), which comprised subjects treated with a fractionated diet with glucose restriction, and the control group (CG), in which individuals were not counseled regarding diet. Patients underwent computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and visual analog scale (VAS) on the first and 30th days of the study.ResultsThere was improvement in the assessed posturographic conditions and VAS self-assessment in the DG group after 30 days when compared to the control group.ConclusionThe fractionated diet with glucose restriction was effective for the treatment of vestibular dysfunction associated with glucose metabolism disorders

Glucose Metabolism Disorders And Vestibular Manifestations: Evaluation Through Computerized Dynamic Posturography

Global sugar consumption has increased in the past 50 years; its abusive intake is responsible for peripheral insulin resistance, which causes the metabolic syndrome - obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a fractionated diet without glucose as treatment for labyrinthine disorders associated with glucose-insulin index. Methods: The study design was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Fifty-one patients were divided into two groups: the diet group (DG), which comprised subjects treated with a fractionated diet with glucose restriction, and the control group (CG), in which individuals were not counseled regarding diet. Patients underwent computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and visual analog scale (VAS) on the first and 30th days of the study. Results: There was improvement in the assessed posturographic conditions and VAS self assessment in the DG group after 30 days when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The fractionated diet with glucose restriction was effective for the treatment of vestibular dysfunction associated with glucose metabolism disorders. (C) 2015 Associacao Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cervico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.82437237

Clinical characteristics of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness

AbstractIntroductionPersistent postural-perceptual dizziness is the dizziness that lasts for over three months with no clinical explanation for its persistence. The patient's motor response pattern presents changes and most patients manifest significant anxiety.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent postural and perceptual dizziness.Methodsstatistical analysis of clinical aspects of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.Results81 patients, average age: 50.06±12.16 years; female/male ratio: 5.7/1; main reasons for dizziness: visual stimuli (74%), body movements (52%), and sleep deprivation (38%). The most prevalent comorbidities were hypercholesterolemia (31%), migraine headaches (26%), carbohydrate metabolism disorders (22%) and cervical syndrome (21%). DHI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – Trait, Beck Depression Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires were statistically different (p<0.05) when compared to controls. 68% demonstrated clinical improvement after treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors.ConclusionPersistent postural-perceptual dizziness affects more women than men, with a high associated prevalence of metabolic disorders and migraine. Questionnaires help to identify the predisposition to persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. The prognosis is good with adequate treatment

Efeitos do biofeedback vibrotátil na reabilitação do equilíbrio corporal - estudo preliminar

Introduction Some patients with severe impairment of body balance do not obtain adequate improvement from vestibular rehabilitation (VR). Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Vertiguard™ biofeedback equipment as a sensory substitution (SS) of the vestibular system in patients who did not obtain sufficient improvement from VR. Methods This was a randomized prospective clinical study. Thirteen patients without satisfactory response to conventional VR were randomized into a study group (SG), which received the vibrotactile stimulus from Vertiguard™ for ten days, and a control group (CG), which used equipment without the stimulus. For pre- and post-treatment assessment, the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) protocol of the Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) and two scales of balance self-perception, Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), were used. Results After treatment, only the SG showed statistically significant improvement in C5 (p = 0.007) and C6 (p = 0.01). On the ABC scale, there was a significant difference in the SG (p = 0.04). The DHI showed a significant difference in CG and SG with regard to the physical aspect, and only in the SG for the functional aspect (p = 0.04). Conclusion The present findings show that sensory substitution using the vibrotactile stimulus of the Vertiguard™ system helped with the integration of neural networks involved in maintaining posture, improving the strategies used in the recovery of body balance.Introdução Alguns pacientes com déficit severo do equilíbrio corporal submetidos à reabilitação vestibular (RV) podem não apresentar resultados satisfatórios. Objetivo Verificar a eficácia do equipamento de biofeedback Vertiguard™ como substituto sensorial do sistema vestibular em pacientes sem bons resultados à RV. Método Estudo prospectivo clínico randomizado. Treze pacientes sem resposta satisfatória à RV convencional foram randomizados entre grupo de estudo (GE), que utilizou o estímulo vibratório do Vertiguard™ por dez dias e grupo controle (GC) que usou o equipamento desligado. Para avaliação pré e pós-tratamento foi utilizado o protocolo Teste de Integração Sensorial (TIS) da Posturografia Dinâmica Computadorizada (PDC) e duas escalas de autopercepção do equilíbrio: ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) e DHI (Dizziness Handicap Inventory). Resultados Apenas o GE apresentou melhora estatisticamente significante em C5 (p = 0,007) e C6 (p = 0,01) da PDC após treinamento. Na escala ABC houve diferença significante no GE (p = 0,04). No DHI ocorreu diferença significante no aspecto físico em ambos os grupos e no aspecto funcional (p = 0,04) apenas no GE. Conclusão O estímulo de substituição sensorial do Vertiguard™ auxiliou a integração das redes neurais e na manutenção da postura, melhorando as estratégias utilizadas na recuperação do equilíbrio corporal

Reference standard to read the air-driven calloric reflex test results

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Bandeirante de São Paulo Programa de Mestrado Profissional em Reabilitação Vestibular e Inclusão SocialFMUSP Hospital das Clínicas Setor de OtoneurologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Disciplina de Otologia e OtoneurologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Disciplina de Otologia e OtoneurologiaSciEL

Sensitivity of caloric test and video head impulse as screening test for chronic vestibular complaints

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the results of the caloric test with those of the video head impulse test obtained during the same session and evaluated whether the former can be used to screen for non-acute vestibular dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 157 participants complaining of dizziness with vestibular characteristics of varying durations and clinical courses completed the caloric test and video head impulse test. RESULTS: Significantly more caloric test results than video head impulse test results were abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the caloric test and video head impulse test are distinct but complement each other. Within our sample, the caloric test was more sensitive for vestibular dysfunction. Therefore, the video head impulse test is not a suitable screening tool of the vestibular system in patients with chronic complaints

Caloric test and video head impulse test sensitivity as vestibular impairment predictors before cochlear implant surgery

OBJECTIVES: Currently, cochlear implant procedures are becoming increasingly broad and have greatly expanded. Bilateral cochlear implants and cochlear implants are more frequently applied in children. Our hypothesis is that the video head impulse test may be more sensitive than the caloric test in detecting abnormal vestibular function before cochlear implant surgery. The objective of this study was to compare the video head impulse test and caloric test results of patients selected for cochlear implant procedures before surgery. METHODS: The patients selected for cochlear implant surgery were submitted to a bithermal caloric test and video head impulse test. RESULTS: By comparing angular slow phase velocity values below 5o in the bithermal caloric test (hypofunction) and video head impulse test with a gain lower than 0.8, we identified 37 (64.9%) patients with vestibular hypofunction or canal paresis and 21 (36.8%) patients with abnormal video head impulse test gain before the cochlear implant procedure. Of the 37 patients with caloric test vestibular hypofunction, 20 (54%) patients exhibited an abnormal gain in the video head impulse test. CONCLUSION: The caloric test is more sensitive than the video head impulse test (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.0002) in detecting the impaired ear before cochlear implant delivery. The proportion of caloric test/video head impulse test positive identification of abnormal vestibular function or caloric test/video head impulse test sensitivity was 1.8:1

Caloric test and video head impulse test sensitivity as vestibular impairment predictors before cochlear implant surgery

OBJECTIVES: Currently, cochlear implant procedures are becoming increasingly broad and have greatly expanded. Bilateral cochlear implants and cochlear implants are more frequently applied in children. Our hypothesis is that the video head impulse test may be more sensitive than the caloric test in detecting abnormal vestibular function before cochlear implant surgery. The objective of this study was to compare the video head impulse test and caloric test results of patients selected for cochlear implant procedures before surgery. METHODS: The patients selected for cochlear implant surgery were submitted to a bithermal caloric test and video head impulse test. RESULTS: By comparing angular slow phase velocity values below 5o in the bithermal caloric test (hypofunction) and video head impulse test with a gain lower than 0.8, we identified 37 (64.9%) patients with vestibular hypofunction or canal paresis and 21 (36.8%) patients with abnormal video head impulse test gain before the cochlear implant procedure. Of the 37 patients with caloric test vestibular hypofunction, 20 (54%) patients exhibited an abnormal gain in the video head impulse test. CONCLUSION: The caloric test is more sensitive than the video head impulse test (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.0002) in detecting the impaired ear before cochlear implant delivery. The proportion of caloric test/video head impulse test positive identification of abnormal vestibular function or caloric test/video head impulse test sensitivity was 1.8:1

Magnetic resonance angiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with a clinical diagnosis of vertebrobasilar insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the findings of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in patients with a clinical diagnosis of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). METHOD: From our outpatient neurotology clinic, we selected patients (using the criteria proposed by Grad and Baloh) with a clinical diagnosis of VBI. We excluded patients with any definite cause for vestibular symptoms, a noncontrolled metabolic disease or any contraindication to MRA or TCD. The patients in the study group were sex- and age-matched with subjects who did not have vestibular symptoms (control group). Our final group of patients included 24 patients (study, n=12; control, n=12). RESULTS: The MRA results did not demonstrate significant differences in the findings between our study and control groups. TCD demonstrated that the systolic pulse velocity of the right middle cerebral artery, end diastolic velocity of the basilar artery, pulsatility index (PI) of the left middle cerebral artery, PI of the right middle cerebral artery, and PI of the basilar artery were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group, suggesting abnormalities affecting the microcirculation of patients with a clinical diagnosis of VBI compared with controls. CONCLUSION: MRA failed to reveal abnormalities in patients with a clinical diagnosis of VBI compared with controls. The PI of the basilar artery, measured using TCD, demonstrated high sensitivity (91%) and specificity (91%) for detecting clinically diagnosed VBI