Comparison of the Short-Term Effect of Steroid Dosage Regimens in Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Nam, Gi Yun; Ko, Jae Beom; Lee, Hwan Ho; Kwon, Jae Hwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
For idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) patients, steroids are one of the most important therapies which are used to reduce inflammation in the inner ear. However, dosage regimens of oral steroid therapy have not been well established. This study aims to investigate the progression in recovery from ISSHL, and the optimal dosage regimen with steroids.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We undertook a retrospective study of 149 patients diagnosed with ISSHL at our institution. We compared various clinical parameters such as age, gender, vertigo, tinnitus, the interval between disease onset and initial treatment, and severity of hearing loss. The 149 patients were divided based on their steroid regimens into two groups: group 1 (which received 40 mg of prednisolone in the morning and 20 mg at night) and group 2 (which received 20 mg of prednisolone three times daily). We then compared the results of group 1 with that of group 2.
RESULTS
Recovery rates in group 1 (58/90, 64.4%) were significantly higher in ISSHL than those in group 2 (27/59, 45.8%). In particular, the complete recovery rates of Siegel's criteria in group 1 (35/90, 38.9%) were higher than those in group 2 (12/59, 20.3%). Therapeutic results were affected by the presence of tinnitus. Of the patients with tinnitus, 64.3% in group 1, and 43.9% in group 2 recovered.
CONCLUSION
In the group treated with twice-daily regimens, greater hearing improvements were observed compared with the group treated with three times-daily regimens. These findings suggest that higher dose for a single administration may be an important prognostic factor.