A Higher Liver Fibrosis-4 Index Is Associated With More Severe Hearing Loss in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background
Liver fibrosis is an important medical issue increasing over time in developed countries.
Aims/objectives
This study aimed to investigate whether liver fibrosis, as indicated by routine blood test parameters, influences the risk and severity of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).
Material and methods
Sixty-six patients with ISSNHL and 198 patients with benign parotid gland tumors (BPTs) (controls) were enrolled. Indices for liver fibrosis (Liver Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4 index) and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI)) were calculated from the blood laboratory data. The pure tone average (PTA) was calculated as the mean of hearing levels at the six frequencies at the onset of ISSNHL. Severe hearing loss was defined as PTA≥60 decibels Hearing Level (dB HL).
Results
In risk evaluation, the FIB-4 index did not differ significantly between ISSNHL patients and controls. Regarding the severity of ISSNHL, the FIB-4 index was significantly higher in ISSNHL patients with severe hearing loss than in those with PTA<60 dB HL (P<0.05) on univariate comparison. After adjusting for age, sex, and indices of inflammation, both the FIB-4 index and APRI showed a significant association with severe hearing loss (odds ratio (OR): 5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-25.7, and OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.7).
Conclusions and significance
Higher liver fibrosis indices (FIB-4 index and APRI), derived from routine blood laboratory data, are associated with a more severe phenotype of ISSNHL.