Sudden deafness in diabetic patients
Journal
Journal of the Otolaryngological Society of the Republic of China
Journal Volume
32
Journal Issue
6
Date Issued
1997-12-01
Author(s)
Huang, L. H.
Abstract
Background: Many sudden deafness patients with diabetic history were noted in recent years. Since the etiology of sudden deafness was related to vascular, metabolic and neurologic disorders, they might be linked with the complication of diabetes mellitus. Methods: From January 1991 to December 1996, 185 patients with sudden deafness were admitted at our ward, of them, 14 patients were diabetics. All patients received history taking, physical examination, vestibular function test, electronystagmography, and audiometry during the admission. All of them were treated with 1000 mL Dextran 40 daily for 7 days and followed up at our clinic for hearing evaluation. Another 100 sudden deafness patients without diabetes were included in this study for comparison. Results: There were 2 patients cured, 8 patients marked recovery, 4 patients slightly recovery in diabetic group(n=14). Restated, recovery rate was 100% in diabetic group, comparing to 75% in nondiabetic group. The prognosis of hearing in diabetic sudden deafness was related to the control of blood sugar, yet irrelevant to the duration of diabetes. Conclusions: Sudden deafness in diabetic patients is mainly due to vascular insufficiency. Treatment modalities should be based on improving the circulation as well as control of blood sugar.
Subjects
Diabetes mellitus | Sudden deafness
Type
journal article