More otologic symptoms, hearing loss for HIV-infected

(HealthDay)—Otologic symptoms and hearing loss are more common among patients with HIV than uninfected controls, according to a study published online March 5 in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery.

Jean Valentin F. Fokouo, M.D., from the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon, and colleagues examined the effect of HIV and highly-active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) on hearing function in a Cameroonian population. Data were included from 90 HIV-positive case patients (30 HART-naive patients, 30 patients receiving first-line HAART, and 30 receiving second-line HAART) and 90 HIV-negative controls. Participants were aged 15 to 49 years, with no history of hearing loss or treatment with a known ototoxic drug.

The researchers found that, compared with HIV-negative patients, HIV-positive patients had more otologic symptoms (41 versus 13; P = 0.04). Hearing loss was seen in 27.2 percent of the HIV-positive group versus 5.6 percent of the HIV-negative group (P = 0.04). The odds of hearing loss were higher among HIV-infected HAART-naive patients (right ear: odds ratio [OR], 6.7; left ear: OR, 6.2), patients receiving first-line HAART (right ear: OR, 5.6; left ear: OR, 12.5), and patients receiving second-line HAART (right ear: OR, 6.7; left ear: OR, 3.7), compared with HIV-negative individuals.

"Further studies are needed because controversy remains regarding the factors that lead to ear damage," the authors write.

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