Identification of dyslipidemia as a risk factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A multicenter case‐control study

BACKGROUND: Recently, several studies have reported an association between lipid profiles and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), yet there is considerable variability between the individual studies in defining the precise association between serum lipids levels and SSNHL. This study sought to identify a possible relationship between dyslipidemia and the prevalence and prognosis of SSNHL. METHODS: A case‐control study was carried out at two independent medical centers, including 2,288 SSNHL patients and 2,288 healthy controls. Clinical characteristics and serum lipid parameters were assessed, including total cholesterol (CHOL), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (Trig), apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and lipoprotein a (Lpa). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between lipid profiles and SSNHL in the 4,576 subjects. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified in several conventional serum lipid markers including CHOL, Trig, HDL, LDL, ApoAI, ApoB, and Lpa, between SSNHL patients and healthy controls. Serum ApoAI levels were significantly lower in patients with bilateral SSNHL compared to unilateral SSNHL. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that higher levels of ApoB, LDL, Trig, and lower levels of ApoAI and HDL were all associated with an increased risk of SSNHL. After clinical characterization, multivariate analysis showed that only low levels of ApoB predicted likelihood of a recovery of more than 30 dB among patients with SSNHL. CONCLUSIONS: Serum lipids are associated with the incidence and prognosis of SSNHL. Identification of dyslipidemia may improve early evaluation and management of SSNHL risks.