Abstract

Aim: The aim of present study to investigate association between metabolic syndrome [MetSyn] and vitamin D deficiency on hearing loss among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Subjects and methods: This is an observational cohort study based on 528 subjects aged between 20 and 59 years who visited the Hamad Medical Corporation with hearing difficulty during from January 2013 to July 2014. MetSyn was assessed using the revised NCEP-ATP III criteria. Vitamin D level was evaluated from reported serum 25 (OH) D. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to evaluate the relation between selected lifestyle factors, MetSyn, vitamin D and presence of hearing loss. Results: The mean age (± SD, in years) for metabolic hearing loss versus normal subjects was 47.7 ± 10.2 vs. 48.5 ± 9.1. Over 90% of the s patients were using phones devices and 13.4% had hearing impairment watching TV. The consanguineous marriages were observed higher in Hearing loss (32.9%) than in normal hearing (23.0%) (p=0.028). The waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio and body mass index were significantly higher among the participants with MetSyn versus without MetSyn (p<0.001). The mean of diabetes onset duration (9.03 ± 4.35 years), sleeping disorder (5.76 ± 1.32 h), cigarette smoking (16.4%) and sheesha smoking (20.7%) were higher among hearing impairment. The associated risk factors were significantly higher in T2DM with hearing loss, hypoglycemia, retinopathy, Nephropathy and Neuropathy diabetic foot ulcer, Tinnitus, Vertigo and headache than in normal hearing diabetes. There were statistically significant differences between hearing impairment versus normal hearing for vitamin D [18.91 ± 7.65 ng/ml vs 22.85 ± 9.00 ng/ml; p=0.018], magnesium, phosphorous, HDL, ceatinine, albumin, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Further, there were highly statistically significant differences between hearing impairment versus normal for both side right and left ear frequency in Db unit (p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed vitamin D Deficiency (OR 2.59 95% CI 1.65-4.72; p<0.001), Head ache (OR 1.97 95% CI 1.30-2.85; p<0.001), sleeping disturbance (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.23-2.71, p=0.002), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.66 95% CI 1.20-2.48; p=0.009), cigarette smoking (OR 1.90 95% CI 1.23-2.95; p=0.004), age in years (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.30-2.54; p=0.026), nationality (Qatari) (OR 1.55 95% CI 1.10-2.17; p=0.014), diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.69 95% CI 1.14-2.52; p=0.012), age in years (OR 1.45 95% CI 1.30-2.54; p=0.026) and sheesha smokers (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.32-3.11, p=0.038) were considered at higher risk as a predictors of hearing loss among diabetic patients. Conclusion: The current study results suggests that the impact of metabolic syndrome and vitamin D among diabetic patients were significantly associated with the hearing loss in the Qatari's population

Keywords: Epidemiology; Metabolic syndrome; Hearing loss; Diabetes; Vitamin D; Risk factors