ABSTRACT

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by T-cell mediated hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Sensorineural hearing loss may occur as a complication of autoimmune and inflammatuar diseases. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether there is a relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and psoriasis. Forty-one psoriasis patients and control group composed of age 41 individuals were included in the study. Pure-tone audiometry and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) tests were performed to all the participants. The psoriasis activity was evaluated by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Hearing thresholds were higher in patients with psoriasis in Pure-tone audiometry but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Also we compared reproducibility, response levels, and S/N ratios by TEOAE measurements between 2 groups. Reproducibility, response levels, and S/N ratios were lower in patients with psoriasis but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Consequently we demonstrated that in patient with mild and moderate psoriasis haven’t hearing loss in our study. Large number studies in patients with severe psoriasis may be helpful to clarify the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and psoriasis.

Keywords: Psoriasis, Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions, Pure tone audiometry, hearing loss