Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, it has been widely reported that diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia may be associated with the onset and progression of age-related hearing loss. However, the implications of glucose intolerance, early hypertension and dyslipidemia on hearing loss are not well understood. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the relationship between hearing loss and glucose intolerance, early hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Subjects: The subjects were 57,836 individuals between the ages of 40 and 79 who underwent medical examinations and audiometric testing at our facility between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.
Methods: The prevalence of subjects with glucose intolerance, early hypertension and dyslipidemia, respectively were compared between subjects suffering from hearing loss and those with no hearing abnormalities by age group. Glucose intolerance was defined as HbA1c of 5.9-6.4% (NGSP) or fasting blood glucose of 110-125 mg/dL; hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of 140-159 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 90-99 mmHg; dyslipidemia was defined as triglycerides of 200-399 mg/dL or LDL cholesterol of 140-159 mg/dL.
Subjects receiving medical treatment for metabolic syndrome-related factors were excluded from the analysis.
Results: Early stage of hypertension and glucose intolerance seemed to affect hearing loss in the middle-aged subjects.
The prevalence of glucose intolerance and mild hypertension among the subjects with hearing loss was significantly higher than among those without hearing loss in the 40-60 year-old group (p < 0.01).
The prevalence of dyslipidemia among the subjects with hearing loss was significantly lower than among those without hearing loss in the over 60 years old group (p < 0.05).
hearing loss, between two groups Chi square test is used as statistical analysis of prevalence between two groups.
Conclusion: Early stage of hypertension and glucose intolerance may affect hearing loss among the middle aged.
