Evaluation of Procalcitonin and hs-CRP Levels in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

J Int Adv Otol. 2018 Apr;14(1):44-47. doi: 10.5152/iao.2017.2780. Epub 2017 Jun 21.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate procalcitonin and high sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) patients and assess their correlations with the clinical prognosis.

Materials and methods: Twenty-three ISSNHL patients were included in the study (group A). The control group was consisted of 19 patients (group B). Procalcitonin and hs-CRP levels were compared between the groups. The relationship between procalcitonin and hs-CRP levels and the configuration of the audiogram, degree of hearing loss [partial or total ( > 90 dB)], and status of improvement (improvement of > 15 dB in the first month PTA) were evaluated.

Results: The mean age was 47.91±15.73 years (range 21-73 years) and 35.16±15.67 years (range 19-79 years) in groups A and B, respectively. Seven patients (30.4%) had underlying cardiovascular risk factors. Mean procalcitonin levels were 0.057±0.025 µg/L and 0.041±0.016 µg/L in groups A and B, respectively. Mean hs-CRP levels were 0.461±1.335 mg/dL and 0.129±0.125 mg/dL in groups A and B, respectively. Procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in group A than in group B (p=0.018). Procalcitonin levels were significantly lower (0.035±0.013 µg/L vs. 0.061±0.025 µg/L) in patients with low-frequency hearing loss (p=0.04). ROC analysis of procalcitonin values revealed that area under the curve was 0.80 (p=0.005). A cut-off procalcitonin level of 0.45 µg/L yielded a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 56.2%.

Conclusion: In conclusion, as a proinflammatory marker, procalcitonin levels were higher in ISSNHL patients than in healthy controls. The procalcitonin level was significantly lower in upsloping-type hearing loss patients. This finding could be regarded as an indirect indicator of pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone / instrumentation
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / physiopathology
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / blood*
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Procalcitonin / blood*
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Procalcitonin
  • C-Reactive Protein