To evaluate the prevalence and features of hearing impairment in patients with RA.
A total of 28 RA patients underwent a rheumatological evaluation, including determination of rheumatoid factor, protein 2-glycoprotein I level and the Lee index. An audiological assessment consisting of pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and determination of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) was performed. The results were compared with those of 28 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Four selected RA patients underwent stapedectomy; PTA and TEOAEs were evaluated 6 months postoperatively.
Increased air conduction thresholds at 250, 500 and 1000 Hz were found in RA subjects in comparison to controls (p<0.001). RA patients showed higher air-bone gaps in PTA (p<0.05) and an increased Wave I latency in ABRs (p=0.03). Decreased reproducibility (p<0.001) and amplitude (p<0.001) of TEOAEs were found in RA subjects in comparison to controls. A significant correlation between disease duration and echo amplitude was noticed (r=0.389). After stapedectomy, a reduction in the air-bone conduction gap (11 vs 2 dB HL) was noticed; no significant difference in TEOAEs was found.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients present with both conductive and sensorineural deafness.