| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction. According to reports from the World Health Organization, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide experience hearing loss of varying degree. It is estimated that by the year 2050, the global prevalence will reach nearly 2.5 billion individuals. Rheumatic diseases can lead to auditory impairments by causing damage to the middle or inner ear. The etiology of these changes is multifactorial, involving autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms, as well as the administration of ototoxic medications for the management of the underlying disease. Aim. To review scientific literature on rheumatic diseases associated with hearing loss, describing the types of hearing impairment caused, their pathogenesis and treatment options. Methods. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. An advanced search was performed using the keywords in English: "hearing loss", "deafness", "hearing impairment", "hearing changes", "rheumatic diseases", "autoimmune inner ear disease", "systemic autoimmune diseases", "rheumatoid arthritis", "Sjogren syndrome", "systemic lupus erythematosus", "Behcet disease", "systemic sclerosis", "ankylosing spondylitis", "Cogan syndrome", "granulomatosis with polyangiitis", "Wegener's granulomatosis". The review included articles written in English and published between year 2015-2025. Only studies relevant to the topic and content of the research were selected for inclusion. Results. The scientific literature describes that rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, Behcet's disease, Cogan's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis may present with auditory system impairment. The predominant type of hearing loss observed in these pathologies is sensorineural, although conductive and mixed types have also been reported. In the majority of cases, hearing loss is associated with autoimmune-mediated inner ear damage. Less frequently, it may result from damage to the ossicles or Eustachian tube, otitis media and exposure to ototoxic drugs. The progression of hearing impairment in rheumatic diseases vary, ranging from a gradual onset to an acute manifestation. It has been demonstrated, that these changes could have an impact on both – high and low frequency ranges. Conclusions. Hearing changes represent a significant, yet often underrecognized, clinical manifestation of rheumatic diseases. Hearing loss negatively impacts patients' social and emotional well-being, while also contributing to the economic burden on the healthcare system. In the assessment of hearing impairment, rheumatic diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Literature emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and personalised treatment in reducing the incidence of hearing impairment and improving patients' quality of life. Keywords. Rheumatic diseases, sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, deafness. |
