Abstract
Prostaglandin El (PGE1) exerts a vasodilating action and inhibits platelet functions. PGE1 therapy by intravenous drip infusion has been applied to patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. We administered Limaprost alfadex, which is the first oral drug to contain PGE1, to 67 cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss as outpatient therapy. The results were compared retrospectively with those of 79 patients who did not receive PGE1 therapy. We evaluated that outcome using the criteria of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan, recovery rate and complete cure rate. There was no statistically significant difference in outcome between patients treated with oral PGE1 therapy and those not treated with PGE1 therapy. Also, upon detailed examination of 16 cases which showed complete recovery, we were unable to find common patterns.
