The Association Between Hearing Loss and Diabetes Mellitus - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors List
Lee-Moeung Rei Claire, Lim Pamela Tze Xin, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Gui Chuanhao, Lau Kimberley, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hearing loss are chronic conditions with a large burden of disease. Their incidence has been rising over the past few decades. Our study proposes that there is a significant association between DM and hearing loss.
Aims
The primary aim is to explore the relationship between DM and hearing loss. Secondary aims were to evaluate for frequency-specific hearing loss and determine the effect of pre-diabetes and gender on hearing loss.
Methods
This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The search was conducted on PubMed and Cochrane Library up to March 2024. Prospective and retrospective English studies with at least two study arms of comparing hearing loss in both DM and non-DM populations, with basic characteristics described, were eligible for inclusion. For meta-analysis, the odds ratio was calculated using forest plots to compare individuals with hearing loss and diabetes, and individuals with hearing loss without diabetes.
Results
Our systematic review meta-analysis of 22 articles found that individuals with diabetes have 1.99 times higher odds of experiencing hearing loss compared to those without diabetes (95% Confidence interval (CI) [1.64, 2.42]; I2 = 84%). Subgroup analysis showed no significant association for pre-diabetics (P = 0.12), but a significant association for high-frequency hearing loss (P < 0.00001; Odds ratio (OR) = 1.27) in diabetics. Both females (OR = 1.55, P = 0.002) and males (OR = 1.31, P = 0.02) had significantly higher odds of hearing loss with diabetes.
Conclusion
Our findings show that DM is associated with hearing loss, which has extensive implications on public health systems.
Lee-Moeung Rei Claire, Lim Pamela Tze Xin, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Gui Chuanhao, Lau Kimberley, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hearing loss are chronic conditions with a large burden of disease. Their incidence has been rising over the past few decades. Our study proposes that there is a significant association between DM and hearing loss.
Aims
The primary aim is to explore the relationship between DM and hearing loss. Secondary aims were to evaluate for frequency-specific hearing loss and determine the effect of pre-diabetes and gender on hearing loss.
Methods
This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The search was conducted on PubMed and Cochrane Library up to March 2024. Prospective and retrospective English studies with at least two study arms of comparing hearing loss in both DM and non-DM populations, with basic characteristics described, were eligible for inclusion. For meta-analysis, the odds ratio was calculated using forest plots to compare individuals with hearing loss and diabetes, and individuals with hearing loss without diabetes.
Results
Our systematic review meta-analysis of 22 articles found that individuals with diabetes have 1.99 times higher odds of experiencing hearing loss compared to those without diabetes (95% Confidence interval (CI) [1.64, 2.42]; I2 = 84%). Subgroup analysis showed no significant association for pre-diabetics (P = 0.12), but a significant association for high-frequency hearing loss (P < 0.00001; Odds ratio (OR) = 1.27) in diabetics. Both females (OR = 1.55, P = 0.002) and males (OR = 1.31, P = 0.02) had significantly higher odds of hearing loss with diabetes.
Conclusion
Our findings show that DM is associated with hearing loss, which has extensive implications on public health systems.
